{ "id": "171862", "author": "26", "cnmid": "", "title": "Cummins Says Bowler-Dominated WTC Final Still A Good Test", "lang": "en", "series": "643", "cup_year": "2025", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "Australia captain Pat Cummins said the World Test Championship final against South Africa was a good advertisement for Test cricket despite hurtling towards a likely finish within three days.", "subtype": null, "editor1": "

Australia captain Pat Cummins<\/strong> said the World Test Championship final against South Africa was a good advertisement for Test cricket despite hurtling towards a likely finish within three days.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

An astounding 28 wickets fell across the first two days at Lord's.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Fast bowler Cummins played his part by taking a superb 6-28 on Thursday's second day to reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

But as batsmen on both sides struggled for runs, an eighth-wicket partnership of 61 between Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16 not out) enabled reigning champions Australia to reach stumps on 144-8 in their second innings, a lead of 218 with two wickets standing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It's set up pretty well," Cummins told reporters. "The mood in the changing room is pretty positive. It was a great partnership and a good way to end the day."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Asked whether the bowlers' dominance detracted from the occasion of a championship final, Cummins replied: "After two days it's pretty close to 50-50.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It's a pretty good Test match. Some blokes have got themselves in and looked comfortable out there, but a lot of other guys haven't."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Cummins said the rapid progress of the match was down to a combination of a tricky pitch and good bowling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Both teams have bowled really well, really disciplined," he said. "There haven't been many half-volleys."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The 32-year-old, appearing in his 68th Test, added: "The trend of the game is that the runs are coming down. It's still pretty difficult out there, but we will have to bowl well tomorrow (Friday)."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

- 'Durability and longevity' -<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Cummins was outstanding as South Africa were dismissed for 138, giving Australia a 74-run lead on first innings, with the skipper especially devastating in a potent post-lunch burst of 4-1 in 17 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

His return on Thursday took Cummins to exactly 300 Test wickets -- something he described as "pretty cool" -- at a miserly average of 22.08.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Cummins, just the eighth Australia bowler to reach the landmark, added: "There's not too many on that list. It's something I've always thought about.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It's a pretty good sign of durability and longevity."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

David Bedingham, who top-scored for South Africa with 45, agreed with Cummins about the standard of bowling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It's a fairly tricky pitch, but I think when you have six quality seamers on a tricky pitch it obviously makes batting tough."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Nevertheless, Bedingham said South Africa remained confident of a successful run chase, even though their target will be signficantly higher than their first-innings total.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It is an amazing chance and we are very excited about the opportunity to win," he said, with South Africa bidding for their first major global title in 28 years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It could go either way but there is a lot of belief.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>

"I think the pitch is slowing down a bit and maybe in the fourth innings it will go a bit straighter. Hopefully, we can get those runs."<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Pat-Cummins-WTC-Final.jpeg", "alt_img": "Pat-Cummins WTC Final", "alt_title": "Australia vs South Africa WTC Final 2025", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Cummins Says Bowler-Dominated WTC Final Still A Good Test On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Australia captain Pat Cummins said the World Test Championship final against South Africa was a good advertisement for Test cricket despite hurtling towards a likely finish within three days.", "seo_keywords": "WTC Final 2025, Australia Cricket Team, South Africa Cricket Team, South Africa Vs Australia, Pat Cummins", "tag": null, "tagging": "WTC Final 2025,Australia Cricket Team,South Africa Cricket Team,South Africa Vs Australia,Pat Cummins,", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "cummins-says-bowler-dominated-wtc-final-still-a-good-test", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "1", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "1037", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2025-06-13 10:22:07", "updated": "2025-06-13 10:22:07", "img_from": "Image Source: Google", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "WTC Final 2025, Australia Cricket Team, South Africa Cricket Team, South Africa Vs Australia, Pat Cummins", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "1", "posted_by": "1", "jio_date": "2025-06-13 10:22:07", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": "Select", "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/cummins-says-bowler-dominated-wtc-final-still-a-good-test-171862" }