The second day of the WTC Final between South Africa and Australia has come to an end. At stumps, Australia reached 144 for 8 in their second innings, taking their overall lead to 218 runs. Mitchell Starc was unbeaten on 16, while Nathan Lyon was on 1 at the close of play. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi picked up three wickets each, while Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder took one wicket apiece.
Earlier in the day, Australia bowled out South Africa for just 138 runs in their first innings and gained a 74-run lead. Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham played crucial knocks for Proteas. However, South Africa, led by a fiery bowling effort from Rabada and Ngidi, tried to bounce back by putting Australia under pressure in their second innings. Australia’s batting collapsed, and they lost seven wickets for just 73 runs.
Alex Carey then stitched a crucial 50-plus partnership with Mitchell Starc for the eighth wicket, helping Australia’s lead cross the 200-run mark. Just before the day ended, Rabada dismissed Carey for 43, denying him a half-century.
In Australia’s second innings, Marnus Labuschagne scored 22, Steve Smith made 13, Usman Khawaja got 6, Travis Head made 9, Beau Webster scored 9, and captain Pat Cummins contributed 6 runs. On Day 3, Australia will look to extend their lead further, while South Africa will aim to bowl them out as quickly as possible.