Australian captain Pat Cummins turned the tide in the first innings of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025, delivering a match-defining six-wicket haul that dismantled South Africa’s middle and lower order. His fiery spell handed Australia a crucial 74-run first-innings lead — one that could prove decisive in the outcome of the match.
Speaking to RevSportz earlier, former Australian captain Michael Clarke addressed the selection dilemma regarding Scott Boland. When asked how a bowler of Boland’s calibre could be left out, Clarke said: “Yes, it is unbelievable. It is so hard. He has been phenomenal. But I think if Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins are fit, then they are still the best three. Unfortunately for Scottie, he is probably our fourth best. So yeah, but it is hard to leave him out. Nathan Lyon has been around for a long time and loves bowling in England. I think it is a brilliant attack overall.”
Clarke’s assessment was vindicated on the field. The Australian pace trio — Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood — shared nine wickets between them, ensuring that no South African batter managed to score a half-century.
🚨 Exclusive! Michael Clarke weighed in on Australia’s bowling firepower ahead of the WTC Final.
“Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins are the best three,” said the former Aussie captain in an exclusive chat.
Hear what Clarke had to say about the trio, and his prediction for the big… pic.twitter.com/zNiGaH206Q
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) June 12, 2025
Pat Cummins becomes the eighth Australian to take 300 or more Test wickets
Cummins made an early impact in the match by dismissing Wiaan Mulder on Day 1 with a sharp delivery. He continued his dominance into the second morning, removing South African captain Temba Bavuma, who had been batting with composure until Cummins broke through his defences.
The standout over came in the 52nd, where Cummins struck twice — first removing Kyle Verreynne with the opening ball, then trapping Marco Jansen with the last delivery of the over. The most crucial breakthrough came shortly after, when he dismissed David Bedingham — South Africa’s top scorer — caught behind by Alex Carey.
Cummins persisted with a barrage of short-pitched deliveries to unsettle Kagiso Rabada and eventually tempted him into a mistimed pull shot, caught by Beau Webster at deep mid-wicket. That wicket ended the South African innings at just 138 and sealed Cummins’ six-wicket haul.
In the process, Pat Cummins also reached a major career milestone — becoming only the eighth Australian to take 300 or more Test wickets.
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