Unusual Incident Stirs Debate During WTC Final 2025
A Strange Moment in the WTC Final
During the second day of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at Lord's, an unusual incident involving South African batsman David Bedingham captured everyone's attention.
This event unfolded in the first session of Day 2 when Australian all-rounder Beau Webster delivered a length ball that deviated slightly off the pitch. Bedingham, who was well-settled at the crease, attempted to defend the ball with the face of his bat. However, it hit the inside edge and became lodged in the flap of his front pad.
Bedingham quickly removed the ball and placed it on the ground. Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey rushed forward to retrieve it, but the ball was already on the ground by the time he reached it. This casual act by Bedingham led to confusion among the Australian players, commentators, and spectators.
Replays showed that Australian opener Usman Khawaja signaled for an appeal regarding 'handling the ball.' Umpire Richard Illingworth consulted with his colleague Chris Gaffaney before declaring the ball 'dead,' raising questions about the legitimacy of the appeal.
Matthew Hayden, a former Australian player, commented during the broadcast on JioStar, stating, "The ball is considered dead once it is dislodged from the pad."
Although this peculiar incident did not lead to a wicket, it added another layer of intrigue to the WTC Final. Given the stakes of the match, this moment is likely to be a topic of discussion long after the day's play concludes.
In terms of the match, Australia dismissed South Africa for a mere 138 runs. Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, was the standout performer, taking six wickets for just 28 runs. Currently, Australia is leading by over 150 runs and aims to extend their lead beyond 200 to provide their bowlers with a solid advantage in this final.