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Key Points

South Africa faces a daunting 282-run chase to clinch their first ICC World Test Championship against Australia. Mitchell Starc’s historic fifty and a stubborn last-wicket partnership pushed Australia to a challenging total. The Proteas’ batting struggles continue, raising doubts about their ability to pull off the chase. With only two successful 280+ chases at Lord’s, South Africa must defy history to lift the mace.

Key Points: Proteas Face Tough 282 Chase Against Australia in WTC Final

  • Mitchell Starc's historic fifty boosts Australia to 282
  • Only two 280+ chases ever successful at Lord’s
  • Rabada and Ngidi shine with crucial wickets
  • Proteas' batting collapses leave chase in doubt
3 min read

WTC Final: Plenty of hard-work to do for Proteas as they aim to chase 282 against Australia

South Africa must chase 282 to win their first ICC World Test Championship against Australia, a feat achieved only twice before at Lord’s.

"Proteas will have to play out of their skins to pull off this chase. – Match Analyst"

London, June 13

The task is cut out for South Africa. They have to chase down 282 runs to beat Australia and lift the ICC World Test Championship mace, which would be their first major world championship in cricket, and a deep dive into statistics proves that as easy it might sound with over two-and-the-half days worth of action left, Proteas will have to play out of their skins to pull off this chase.

A frustrating stand between Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for 10th wicket, during which they put on 59 runs and Starc scored a historic first-ever fifty by a player batting at number nine or below in an ICC knockout match, took Aussies from 152/9 to 207, helping them put up a challenging 282 to chase for Proteas.

Notably, at Lord's only two successful run-chases of 280 runs or more have taken place: 342 by West Indies in 1984 against England (win by nine wickets) and 282 by England against New Zealand in 2004 (win by seven wickets).

The first was a nine-wicket win led by Gordon Greenidge's 214*, the only wicket falling in the innings. The second was a seven-wicket win for the hosts, led by Nasser Hussain's 103* in his farewell Test and phenomenal knocks from Andrew Strauss (112 and 83).

Also, South Africa chased down targets of 250-plus in Test cricket only five times till date. The good news is, three of them have come against Australia with their last such chase coming at WACA Stadium in Perth back in 2008, when Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers cracked centuries to chase down a massive 414 runs.

Coming to the match, after Australia was put to bat first by SA, they sank to 67/4 at the end of the first session. A 79-run stand between Steve Smith (66 in 112 balls, with 10 fours) and Beau Webster (72 in 92 balls, with 11 fours) and Webster's 46-run stand with Alex Carey (23 in 31 balls, with four boundaries) pushed Australia near to 200-run mark.

But Kagiso Rabada (5/51) and Marco Jansen (3/49) continued applying pressure, reducing the Aussies to 212.SA had an even nightmarish start, losing four wickets for 43 runs at the end of day's play, with none of their batters touching the 20-run mark.

On day two, South Africa started with better intent with the bat, as skipper Temba Bavuma (36 in 84 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and David Bedingham (45 in 111 balls, with six fours) put on a half-century partnership to start off the day. However, skipper Pat Cummins (6/28) delivered historic bowling figures, triggering another collapse that bundled out the Proteas for just 138 runs. SA trailed by 74 runs.

During Australia's second innings, Proteas' pace took the spotlight once again, sinking Aussies to 73/7. However, Alex Carey (43 in 50 balls, with five fours) put in a 61-run stand with Starc to finish off day two at 144/8.

On day three, Proteas removed Nathan Lyon early, but Starc and Hazlewood (17 in 53 balls, with two fours) frustrated Proteas with a 59-run stand. Australia was finally bundled out for 207, giving the Proteas a target of 282 runs to win the ICC WTC mace.

Rabada (4/59) and Lungi Ngidi (3/38) shone with the ball for South Africa, with Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram getting a wicket each.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
What an exciting match! Proteas have shown great fightback after that disastrous first innings. Rabada and Ngidi have been phenomenal. But chasing 282 at Lord's won't be easy - pitch is getting tricky. Hope Bavuma leads from the front! 🇿🇦🤞 #WTCFinal
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Priya M.
Mitchell Starc's innings was the game-changer! That 10th wicket partnership gave Australia crucial runs. As an Indian cricket fan, I'm enjoying this contest - reminds me of our WTC final last year. Hope SA batsmen show more patience than our team did against NZ.
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Arjun S.
Pat Cummins' 6/28 was absolute class! This match proves why Test cricket is the ultimate format. The pendulum keeps swinging - one moment SA are on top, next moment Australia. If Proteas pull this off, it'll be one for the history books!
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Sanjana R.
Honestly, South Africa's batting looks shaky. They need someone to play a Pujara-like innings - just occupy the crease. 282 is chaseable but they can't afford another collapse. That Perth 2008 chase gives them hope though! #ProteaFire
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Vikram J.
The match is perfectly poised! As neutral fans, we're getting great entertainment. But I feel SA missed a trick by not wrapping up Australia's tail quickly. Those extra runs might prove costly in the end. Still, cricket is a funny game - anything can happen!
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Neha P.
Watching this match makes me wish India was playing! But seriously, this is why Test cricket is the best - so many twists and turns. That Starc-Hazlewood partnership was painful for SA fans but brilliant cricket. Hope the final day gives us a thrilling finish!

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