Australian captain Pat Cummins took charge after lunch with a spell of 6-28, claiming the last five South African wickets for just 12 runs. David Bedingham was the top scorer for the Proteas with 45 runs, one of only four players in his team to reach double digits in their total of 138.

Cummins’ team appeared to be in the driver’s seat, but South Africa’s bowling attack completely turned the match around during a frenzied post-tea session, tearing through Australia’s top order. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were the only batters in the top six to make it past single figures, as South Africa’s bowlers turned up the heat.

Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada took 3-35 and 3-44 respectively, while Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder also claimed a wicket each. Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey launched a counter-attack with a 43 off 50 balls, but a crucial moment came when he was trapped LBW late by Rabada. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood nervously saw off the remaining overs before stumps—Starc even getting a life when Jansen dropped him at gully off Mulder. Australia ended the day on 144-8, with a lead of 218 runs.

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Highest successful fourth innings run chases Lord’s

Team	Score	Opposition	Ground	Year
West Indies	1/344	v England	Lord’s	1984
England	3/282	v New Zealand	Lord’s	2004
England	5/279	v New Zealand	Lord’s	2022
England	3/218	v New Zealand	Lord’s	1965
England	5/193	v West Indies	Lord’s	2012
England	8/191	v West Indies	Lord’s	2000
England	2/163	v Bangladesh	Lord’s	2010
Pakistan	8/141	v England	Lord’s	1992
England	3/137	v Australia	Lord’s	1890
India	5/136	v England	Lord’s	1986

What a day of Test cricket it’s been—tense, gripping, and finely poised. South Africa claimed eight wickets, yet Australia held a commanding lead of 218 runs. In conditions like these, having runs on the board is invaluable.

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