In the nail-biting final moments of the WTC Final 2025, Mitchell Starc demonstrated some gutsy batting to help Australia reach 207 in their second innings, leaving South Africa needing 282 runs to win their first ICC World Test Championship title.
The game is being played at the iconic Lord’s Stadium in England, and successfully chasing down the goal will make South Africa the first side to have chased down 200+ at Lord’s since 2005.
Mitchell Starc Inspires Australian Lower-Order Rebound in WTC Final 2025
Mitchell Starc scored a very valuable 58 not out at number nine, securing the Australian tail and taking the Australian total over 200. Starc’s 58 not only ensured Australia’s noted 9 and 10 batsmen added some runs, but it also involved another rebellion when he added 59 for the last wicket with Josh Hazlewood, who contributed another precious 17 runs.
Starc’s stand condemning a lack of confidence in Australia’s batting provided a much-needed shield heading into the final innings. Earlier, Alex Carey added 43 runs to stabilize the innings following the top-order demise. Australia, who began Day 3 at 144/8, lost Nathan Lyon early to Kagiso Rabada, but Starc and Hazlewood stood firm, using the good batting conditions at Lord’s in their favor.
Mitchell Starc Scores First Test Fifty Since 2019
The second innings knock was Mitchell Starc’s first Test half-century since 2019 and the 11th half-century of his Test career. The milestone came off 131 balls, demonstrating resilience and intelligent shot selection under pressure.
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Interestingly, Starc also played an important role in the 2023 WTC Final against India, contributing 41 runs, demonstrating his worth with the bat in crucial ICC tournaments. The innings came to a close after Keshav Maharaj bowled Josh Hazlewood, with Australia left on 207 all out in their second innings.
Breakdown of the Bowling: Rabada and Ngidi Shine for South Africa
For South Africa, pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets in the second innings. Lungi Ngidi provided adequate support with 3 wickets, while Maharaj and Marco Jansen contributed one each. Their combined effort limited Australia, but Starc’s late resurgence provided vital runs.
First-Innings Recap: Australia Holds 74-Run Lead
In the SA vs AUS match in the WTC Final 2025 inaugural innings, Australia made 212 runs while South Africa was reduced to 138 all out, providing the Aussies with a first-innings advantage of 74 runs. That lead was pivotal in arranging the third-day drama.
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History Beckons: Can South Africa Chase 282 at Lord’s?
Temba Bavuma’s South African team now has a daunting but historic challenge. To chase down 282 runs successfully would give them not only the WTC trophy but also break a 20-year-old record, as no team has chased more than 200 runs successfully at Lord’s since 2005, and thus raises the pressure and drama of this championship decider.
SA vs AUS Set for Dramatic WTC Final 2025 Climax
The WTC Final 2025 is well-placed for a dramatic conclusion, as South Africa has been set a mammoth target of 282 runs by Australia. With the Lord’s pitch continuing to offer an even contest between batters and bowlers, history is on their side and the world will surely be tuned in on Day 4 for the new World Test Champions to be crowned in the ilk of the SA vs AUS match.
ALSO READ: WTC Final 2025: SA vs AUS History And Battle Analysis
