New Delhi: Pat Cummins produced the best bowling figures by a skipper as Lord’s on way to completing 300 wickets in Tests as Australia bowled out South Africa for 138 to take a 74-run lead on the second day of the WTC final on Thursday.
Cummins broke a 43-year-old record to register the best figures by a captain at Lord’s as his 6/28 snuffed out South Africa’s hopes of reaching near Australia’s first inning total of 212.
He dismissed Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada to become the eighth Australian to claim 300 wickets.
Cummins’ six for 28 is also the best bowling figure in ICC WTC finals and is the first skipper to take five-fors in ICC final.
Pat Cummins’ spirited bowling effort wraps up the Proteas innings, handing Australia a healthy lead 🙌#SAvAUS
Follow LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/LgFXTd0RHt pic.twitter.com/w5fjZN3QAR
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2025
The right armer became only the fourth skipper to claim five-for in an innings at Lord’s, and bettered Bob Willis record of 6/101 for England against India in 1982.
The 32-year-old claimed his ninth five-for as skipper to go level with Richie Benaud (9) and past ex-India captain Bishan Singh Bedi’s haul of eight. Pakistan’s Imran Khan heads the list with 12 five-fors.
South Africa began the day at 43/4 but apart from skipper Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45), none could stay at the wicket for long up against the probing bowling of Cummins.
Under Cummins, Australia have won the 2023 ODI World Cup and the WTC last year, both times beating India, in the title round.
They are aiming to retain the WTC title to become the first team to defend the Test mace.
Captains with Test 5-fers at Lord’s
5/35 & 5/43 – Gubby Allen vs India, 1936
6/101 – Bob Willis vs India, 1982
5/69 – Daniel Vettori vs England, 2008
5/28 – Pat Cummins vs South Africa, 2025
Most 5-fers as Test captain
Imran Khan 12
Richie Benaud 9
Pat Cummins 9
Bishan Bedi 8
Source: ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz
Pat Cummins broke a 43-year-old record to register the best bowling figures by a captain at Lord’s Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
