The WTC Final 2025 shows incredible tension! South Africa is now “staring at history” at Lord’s. They are very close to winning their first-ever World Test Championship (WTC) title. Pat Cummins’ Australia, who are also the defending champions, are now desperately hoping for a “miracle” to stop them.
Day 4 action of the WTC Final 2025 began with South Africa needing just 69 runs for victory, and they had eight wickets still in hand. The overnight batters, Aiden Markram (who was on 102 not out) and captain Temba Bavuma (65 not out), continued from South Africa’s overnight total of 213 runs for 2 wickets. The target of 282 runs looked “well in sight” for the Proteas.
Early Drama on Day 4
The start of Day 4 brought immediate drama. Australian captain Pat Cummins provided his team with an early “breakthrough.” With only four runs added to South Africa’s overnight score, Bavuma was caught behind by the wicketkeeper for 66 runs (from 134 balls). This was a crucial wicket for Australia, given Bavuma’s fighting innings from Day 3.
However, Markram, who had already scored a century, “remained firm” at the crease. He was then joined by young batter Tristan Stubbs at the other end. Together, they helped South Africa move further towards a historic win, calmly building runs on the WTC Final 2025 board.
Australia Fights Back with Starc’s Strike
Just when South Africa seemed to be cruising, Mitchell Starc “crashed the Proteas party.” He bowled a fantastic delivery that “castled” (bowled out) Stubbs for just 8 runs. This wicket was a big moment for Australia. After Stubbs’ dismissal, South Africa still needed 41 runs to win, with six wickets remaining. This showed that Australia, though on the back foot, was still fighting hard for every run.
Markram and Bedingham Nearly Seal It
After Stubbs’ departure, David Bedingham joined Markram in the middle. This new partnership “virtually sealed the match” for South Africa. They batted with confidence, taking their team within touching distance of the target.
However, the partnership was finally broken when Josh Hazlewood dismissed Aiden Markram for a magnificent 136 runs (from 207 balls). Despite his dismissal, Markram’s innings was a true match-winning effort, and his contribution will be remembered in the context of the WTC Final 2025.
Australia’s Hope for a Miracle
Meanwhile, Australia, who are the defending champions of the World Test Championship, are truly hoping for a miracle now. They know they need something extraordinary to turn the match around from this position.
Earlier in the match, Australia’s strong pace trio, led by Captain Cummins and including Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, did an excellent job in South Africa’s first innings. They managed to bowl South Africa out for a low score of just 138 runs after Australia had posted a respectable 212 runs on the board themselves. This gave Australia a crucial 74-run lead in the first innings.
Cummins, in particular, was exceptional in that first innings. He “ran riot” (bowled extremely well) and finished with six “scalps” (wickets). This performance also took his overall Test wickets tally to an impressive 300. The big question now is: Can the Australian skipper repeat such a performance and create a miracle as this exciting day of cricket unfolds – arguably a “landmark one” for the history books? The WTC Final 2025 will tell us soon.
The Pressure of a Final Chase
Chasing a target in a Test match final, especially on Day 4, comes with immense pressure. Even though South Africa has been dominant, losing wickets can quickly shift momentum. The early loss of Bavuma and Stubbs, despite being close to the target, shows how quickly things can change. Every run scored, and every wicket taken, holds huge significance on the WTC Final 2025 Live Score board.
For South Africa, this match represents a chance to win their first major ICC trophy in Test cricket, a format where they have historically been very strong. For Australia, it’s about defending their title and showcasing their resilience against all odds. The current WTC Final 2025 has set up a thrilling finish.
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