In a rare wobble at Lord’s, Australia’s top batting lineup crumbled like a soggy Tim Tam, handing South Africa a famous five-wicket victory in the ICC World Test Championship Final. Captain Pat Cummins didn’t mince words, summing it up as time for a “reset”—and maybe a few new faces—after yet another top-order collapse left the Aussies ruing missed chances.
Match Snapshot & Stats
Here’s a quick breakdown of what went pear-shaped:
| Metric | Australia | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Innings (Australia) | 212 all out | – |
| 2nd Innings (Australia) | 144–8 (lead 212 → 356) | – |
| South Africa chase target | – | 282 runs, won by 5wks |
| Collapse Alert | 73–7 in 2nd innings | – |
- Australia raced to 212 in their first dig.
- On Day 3, they limped to 144–8, setting up South Africa’s chase.
- SA sealed the deal with 282–5, achieving one of the top run chases at Lord’s.
Why the Cats Played Invisible
- Top order flop: Labuschagne (17 + 22), Khawaja (0 + 7), and Green (4 + 0) couldn’t muster a sniff, exposing a lineup that looked fragile under pressure.
- Middle-order rescue: Starc (16*) & Carey (43) briefly steadied the ship in the second innings—though too little, too lat.
- SA heroics: Markram’s century and Rabada’s nine-for resurrected South Africa’s hopes.
Cummins’ Call to Arms
Pat’s blunt reality check:
- “Top three was an obvious one,” he said, acknowledging holes that have been covered for too long.
- With a tour to the West Indies kicking off June 25, fresh faces like Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis might push for selection.
- It’s not just Australia; Cummins says this is a cycle reset—time to rebuild before the next WTC.
What’s Next?
- Series vs West Indies, starting late June—expect blood tests for top batter spots.
- Backup: if Smith’s finger isn’t ready, look out for Konstas or Inglis at the crease.
- Long game: strengthen the middle order before the 2027 cycle begins, with eyes on England and India tours.
Bottom Line:
This one isn’t just a heartbreak; it’s a signal bushfire—Australia’s top order needs red-hot fixing, and there’s no better time than now with a new cycle looming.
