On June 13, 2025, during the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins achieved a significant milestone by taking his 300th Test wicket. He claimed 6 wickets for 28 runs, leading Australia to dismiss South Africa for just 138 runs in their first innings. This performance not only marked his 300th Test wicket but also made him the eighth Australian bowler to reach this milestone, joining the ranks of legends like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. Cummins became the first captain since 1982 to secure a five-wicket haul at Lord’s, underscoring his leadership and skill .Despite Cummins’ exceptional bowling, Australia’s batting faced challenges.
On Day 2, Australia reached 144/8 in their second innings, establishing a lead of 218 runs with two wickets remaining. While the match remains finely poised, Cummins described the situation as “pretty close to 50-50,” indicating a balanced contest heading into Day 3. This final marks a significant moment in Test cricket history, with both teams showcasing their prowess at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. On June 13, 2025, at Lord’s, Australian skipper Pat Cummins achieved a major career milestone by claiming his 300th Test wicket during the World Test Championship final against South Africa. His outstanding spell of 6 for 28 played a key role in bowling out South Africa for just 138 in their first innings. With this feat, Cummins became the eighth Australian bowler to surpass 300 wickets in Test cricket, joining greats like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
He also became the first captain since 1982 to take a five-wicket haul in a Test at Lord’s—highlighting both his leadership and bowling prowess. Despite the bowling dominance, Australia encountered some resistance with the bat. At the end of Day 2, they were 144 for 8 in their second innings, building a lead of 218 runs with two wickets left. Cummins commented that the match was “pretty close to 50-50,” reflecting how evenly balanced the contest remained heading into Day 3. This final has already produced gripping moments and is shaping up to be a memorable clash at one of cricket’s most historic venues. Pat Cummins produced a remarkable bowling display on Day 2, claiming 6 wickets for just 28 runs to bowl South Africa out for 138, handing Australia a 74-run advantage after the first innings. Australia’s position was further bolstered by a gritty eighth-wicket stand of 61 between Alex Carey, who made 43, and Mitchell Starc, who remained unbeaten on 16 by the close of play. “It’s shaping up nicely. The atmosphere in the dressing room is really upbeat.
That partnership was crucial and a great way to finish the day,” Cummins remarked. Reflecting on the game’s balance, he added: “After two days, it’s still anyone’s match—probably about even. It’s been a proper Test battle. A few batters have settled in well, but most have struggled, which shows how much the bowlers have been on top.”Credited the swift pace of the match to a combination of challenging pitch conditions and high-quality bowling. “Both sides have bowled with great control and precision. You haven’t seen many easy scoring opportunities like half-volleys,” he noted. He continued, “Scoring rates have dropped as the match has progressed. It’s still tough going out there, but we’ll need to deliver another strong bowling effort tomorrow (Friday).”
The 32-year-old made these remarks during his 68th Test appearance. Cummins also reached a major personal achievement, becoming only the eighth Australian to claim 300 Test wickets, doing so with an impressive average of 22.08. “There aren’t many names on that list. It’s something I’ve always aimed for. It reflects consistency and being able to stick around at this level,” he said, reflecting on the milestone. South Africa’s top scorer, David Bedingham, who contributed 45 runs, also acknowledged the tough conditions for batting. “It’s definitely a challenging surface. And when you’re facing six top-class seamers on a pitch like this, it’s always going to be hard work for the batters,” Bedingham said. Although South Africa is currently behind in the contest, David Bedingham remained optimistic about their chances of securing a win.“It’s a fantastic opportunity, and we’re really excited about the possibility of coming out on top.
It’s still very much in the balance, but there’s strong belief within the team,” he said. Bedingham also shared his thoughts on the pitch conditions: “It seems to be getting a bit slower, and perhaps in the fourth innings it will offer more consistent bounce. Hopefully, we can chase down the total,” he added, as South Africa eyes its first major international trophy in nearly three decades.
