Pat Cummins Shines in World Test Championship Final with Record-Breaking Performance
Cummins Leads Australia to Dominance
On Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins showcased an exceptional bowling display against South Africa at Lord’s on June 12. His efforts helped the defending champions secure a 74-run lead in the first innings by restricting South Africa to just 138 runs over 57.1 overs.
Starting their innings at 43/4 after 22 overs, South Africa faced a relentless Australian bowling attack. Cummins and his team consistently targeted the right lengths, effectively dismantling the middle and lower order of the Proteas.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Cummins made a significant impact by taking six wickets, including Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada, finishing with impressive figures of 6/28 at an economy rate of 1.50 across 18.1 overs. This performance allowed him to surpass the previous record for a captain's bowling figures at Lord's, previously held by Bob Willis.
Additionally, Cummins became the first bowler to achieve six wickets in a World Test Championship innings, surpassing the five-wicket hauls recorded by New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson and South Africa's Kagiso Rabada. His fiery spell not only set records but also shifted the momentum firmly in Australia’s favor.
Milestone of 300 Test Wickets
Achieving a career milestone, Pat Cummins reached 300 Test wickets, becoming the fourth fastest Australian to do so in just 68 matches. He now ranks seventh among Australia's all-time leading wicket-takers in Test cricket, boasting 300 wickets, which include 17 four-wicket hauls and 14 five-wicket hauls, with an average of 22.08 and an economy rate of 2.89.
Reflecting on this achievement, Cummins expressed, "It's way more than I could have asked for. For any fast bowler, 300 is a big number, meaning you've battled a few injuries and niggles, got through it, and played well in different conditions."
Tactical Brilliance on Display
Cummins’ captaincy was marked by strategic brilliance as he effectively rotated bowlers and set field placements that established Australia’s dominance in the WTC Final. After taking a wicket in the morning session, he returned post-lunch to deliver a stunning spell, claiming four wickets for just one run, leaving South Africa in disarray.
He played a crucial role in breaking a vital 64-run partnership between Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham by dismissing Bavuma at 94/5. Following this, South Africa's middle and lower order collapsed, losing five wickets for just 44 runs, which handed Australia a commanding lead.
Cummins employed aggressive field placements, including slips and close-in fielders, which pressured South Africa's batting lineup, ultimately leading to their downfall under relentless pace and precision.
In addition to Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood also contributed to the bowling effort, with Starc taking two wickets and Hazlewood claiming one.