The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final between Australia and South Africa is ongoing at Lord's Cricket Ground in London as the two sides fight it out to claim the mace.
Australia are defending champions after winning the last edition in 2023, while South Africa are in search of their first ICC title in decades, after falling short in the knockout stages in recent years.
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The Sporting News next tracks Day 3 of the WTC Final match and provides you with the live win probabilities for each team.
South Africa vs Australia, WTC 2025 Final, Day 2: Win probability, scorecard
South Africa only have themselves to blame after a chaotic Day 2 at Lord’s. Missed chances, wasted reviews, and a late fightback from Australia have left the Proteas chasing the game in the World Test Championship final.
Despite trailing by 74 in the first innings, South Africa clawed their way back into it as Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada tore through Australia’s top and middle order, reducing them to 73/7. But just when it looked like the momentum had shifted, Alex Carey dug in with 43, and Mitchell Starc’s gritty stand flipped the script again.
Their 61-run eighth-wicket partnership gave Australia some breathing room, pushing the lead to 218 by Stumps. The defending champs ended the day on 144/8, with one last twist — Starc was dropped by Marco Jansen just two balls before close. On top of it all, South Africa have already burned both of their DRS reviews.
(All times in IST)
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End of Day 2: Australia- 144/8
10:13 pm: Carey and Starc are digging in deep under the lights at The Oval. After surviving an LBW scare, Carey has found rhythm, frustrating Rabada and co. with smart singles. Carey and Starc. The partnership is now 40 runs. Every single is taking South Africa a step backwards. This would be the ideal time to strike with stumps approaching. AUS 113/7
6:19 pm: Pat Cummins struck twice in quick succession, delivering a major blow to South Africa. The Proteas haven’t been at their best in this post-lunch session, allowing Australia to maintain the upper hand. But the Aussies aren’t backing down, and their fighting spirit is keeping them firmly ahead in the match. SA 130/7
5:52 pm: The weather has cleared, the sun is out again! The players from both the teams are back again on the ground.
5:10 pm: The weather is disrupting the match a little, umpires are inspecting the weather conditions.
4:45 pm: South Africa ends first session of Day 2 on a good note, with 10 runs off the last over and a 27-run stand with Bedingham and Verreynne. SA trails by 91 runs.
Check: AUS vs SA WTC 2025 Final Test: Live updates, scores, highlights
4:10 pm: Skipper Bavuma is dismissed against the run of play. Half of the team is back in the dugout! And it's the opposing captain, Cummins, who makes the breakthrough in the first session of play on Day 2. SA 94/5
3:30 pm: The Proteas batters, Bavuma and David Bedingham, have come out batting with intent after KP's criticism and Graeme Smith's intent advice before Day 2's play.
| Team | Win Probability |
| SA | 20% |
| AUS | 80% |
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South Africa vs Australia, WTC 2025 Final, Day 1: Win probability, scorecard & toss
Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final between Australia and South Africa at the Lord's belonged to the bowlers as it was a low-scoring affair to start.
After winning the toss and bowling first, the Proteas made early breakthroughs. Kagiso Rabada starred with the ball by picking a five-wicket haul, his 17th in Test cricket. Supported by Marco Jansen, he dismantled the Australian top order.
Despite the collapse, Steve Smith (66) and Beau Wesbter (72) played the rescue roles for the Aussies, taking them to a below-par but respectable 212.
When South Africa came out to bat, the saying 'Don't judge a team until both sides have batted on the pitch' held true, and the pitch's nature became evident. Mitchell Starc took down both openers, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton.
Did the Proteas go into a shell after that? Kevin Piteresen certainly felt so -- suggesting that it was a mistake to bow down to the Aussie pressure instead of tackling them head-on. Temba Bavuma took 31 balls to get off the mark, while Wiaan Mulder scored 6 off 4 balls, before Cummins cleaned him up.
At stumps on Day 1, South Africa are 43/4, still trailing by 169 runs.
10:45 pm: After starting the day on top, South Africa finds themselves in a tough spot with 43/4 at Day 1 Stumps. They trail Australia by 169 runs currently.
8:45 pm: Australia have been bowled out for 212 runs. The average score batting first at Lord's in the last 13 matches is 244. South Africa needs at least 100 runs as a first-innings lead to keep their win chances high.
7:00 pm: A 79-run fifth-wicket partnership between Steve Smith and Beau Webster has come to an end. Jansen managed to hold on to the ball as Smith walked.
5:00 pm: At the end of the first session, Australia are 67/4 and the Proteas are on top after two wickets each from Rabada and Jansen.
3:00 pm: South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Lord's.