Pat Cummins shines with 6-28, but Australia’s second-innings collapse revives South Africa’s hopes.

The World Test Championship final at Lord’s has exploded into life after Australia suffered a stunning second-innings collapse, leaving the contest delicately poised after just two days of play.

Having bowled out South Africa for 138 earlier on Thursday, with captain Pat Cummins ripping through the lower order to claim a remarkable 6-28, Australia appeared firmly in control. But a chaotic evening session saw South Africa’s bowlers hit back ferociously, reducing Australia to 144-8 at stumps and keeping their hopes of lifting the trophy alive.

South Africa began the day on 43-4, facing the daunting task of clawing their way back into the match. Temba Bavuma offered early resistance, adding 36 in the morning session. The Proteas reached 121-5 at lunch, seemingly steadying their innings.

But the calm didn’t last. Cummins returned after lunch and tore through South Africa’s tail, claiming five wickets in a relentless burst that saw the final five wickets tumble for just 12 runs. David Bedingham top-scored with 45, but the Proteas’ total of 138 left them trailing by 74 runs on first innings.

With momentum firmly in their favour, Australia strode out to bat again looking to build an insurmountable lead. Openers Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith seemed set to weather the initial storm, reaching 28 without loss. Then Kagiso Rabada lit the fuse.

Rabada, who had already dismissed Khawaja in the first innings, repeated the trick — luring the left-hander into a nick behind. Just two balls later, Cameron Green edged to Wiaan Mulder at third slip, and suddenly the collapse was on.

The usually composed Marnus Labuschagne faltered, driving loosely at Marco Jansen to be caught by Kyle Verreynne. Then Lungi Ngidi struck twice in quick succession. First, he trapped Steve Smith LBW after a successful review overturned the umpire’s original not-out verdict. Beau Webster followed soon after, given LBW on review after missing a sharp nip-backer.

The Australian slide gathered pace when Mulder uprooted Travis Head’s off stump, and when Cummins chopped a yorker from Ngidi onto his stumps, Australia had slumped to 73-7 in little more than an hour of madness.

Alex Carey offered brief resistance, counter-attacking with a punchy 43 from 50 balls, but his dismissal to Rabada late in the session handed South Africa renewed belief. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood survived a nervy final few overs before the close, though Starc was dropped at gully by Jansen in a crucial reprieve.

The atmosphere inside Lord’s crackled throughout the evening session. With Australia’s wickets tumbling rapidly, even the normally impartial English crowd rallied behind South Africa. Every breakthrough was met with roars, as the Proteas surged back into contention.

The collapse has left Australia leading by 218 runs with two wickets remaining — a lead that may yet prove decisive, but one that feels far less comfortable than it did earlier in the day.

Speaking after play, analysts described the day’s action as one of the most dramatic in recent Test memory. “This is Test cricket at its brutal best,” one commentator remarked. “No one can relax for a moment.”

With three days officially remaining, few now expect the match to reach its full duration. Barring rain, a result could arrive as early as Friday evening, with both sides locked in a fierce battle for the World Test Championship crown.

Day three promises more twists and nerve-shredding tension as South Africa eye a famous comeback and Australia look to defend their slender advantage.