WTC Final 2025: South Africa has a tough task in the fourth innings of the WTC 2025 Final against Australia at Lord’s. On Day 3, Wiaan Mulder avoided a serious injury during Australia’s second innings.
Australia were 144/8 at stumps on Day 2. Kagiso Rabada dismissed Lyon early on Day 3, but South Africa found it hard to finish the innings as Starc faced over 100 balls with Hazlewood holding firm.
Wiaan Mulder Slips And Escapes Injury In WTC Final 2025
The incident happened on the third ball of the 46th over during Australia’s second innings when Wiaan Mulder almost got injured unusually. Josh Hazlewood played the ball from the crease, and it rolled slowly toward point after hitting the lower part of his bat.
Wiaan Mulder ran in quickly and tried to throw the ball, but he slipped awkwardly while doing it. The throw went far off target, but luckily, he wasn’t hurt.
Star Sports shared the moment on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Grass be like – 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 😎 #Mulder was all set to wrap up #Australia’s innings, then the grass pulled a classic slip move!”
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Grass be like – 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 🤪#Mulder was all set to wrap up #Australia's innings, then the grass pulled a classic slip move! 😅
LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/PT5JiWpOzV#WTCFinal | #SAvAUS | Day 3, LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/rP8HtBuoUO
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 13, 2025
Australia set South Africa a target of 282 runs to win the WTC Final 2025, thanks to a crucial 59-run stand between Starc and Hazlewood. They ended their second innings at 207, after a 74-run first-innings lead.
Chasing won’t be easy – only four teams have ever chased over 200 successfully at Lord’s, with the highest being 342 by West Indies in 1984. England’s 282-run chase vs New Zealand in 2004 is the second-highest at Lord’s. Only one 200+ chase has happened there since 2005.
Meanwhile, South Africa chose to bowl first under cloudy skies and quickly made an impact, with Kagiso Rabada taking five wickets to bowl out Australia for 212. Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) were the key scorers.
Australia hit back by reducing South Africa to 43/4 by Day 1 stumps. They kept up the pressure on Day 2, and after lunch, South Africa collapsed, losing their last five wickets for just 17 runs. Pat Cummins took six wickets. Australia, the current WTC champions, are looking to defend their 2023 title.
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