The current World Test Championship (WTC 2025) final at the legendary Lord’s Cricket Ground this week has been a thrilling affair, with Australia and South Africa not giving each other an inch. While the conditions have made batting difficult, both sides’ bowling has been exceptional.

At the end of Day 2, Australia were 144/8 in the second innings, with a 218-run lead. To put things in perspective, if South Africa successfully chases in the fourth innings, it will have the highest innings total in a Test match. There have only been nine Tests in England where the side batting fourth has scored the highest total in the game – three victories, the most recent of which occurred in Headingley in 2019.

In addition, Lord’s has only successfully chased four 200-plus targets since 2005. Despite the odds, South African batsman David Bedingham feels optimistic about his team’s chances of winning the big game. He stated that, while the game might go either way, there is enough confidence in the Proteas to write history.

“We’re very confident.” I believe the batters will have something planned. But I think it’s a fantastic day. And I believe that if they had begun to bat in the third inning, we would have had them or took them 220-8. So, I believe you’re very confident, and I think there’s a lot of belief in this team,” Bedingham remarked at a press conference after the day’s play.

“I think it’s an incredible opportunity, and I think we’re all very, very thrilled about the possibility of winning. As I previously stated, it could go either way, but I believe our team is really excited, and there is a lot of belief in the locker room,” he added.

David Bedingham played a gutsy knock, while Rabada claimed Lyon’s wicket early.

Meanwhile, in the continuing WTC 2025 final, South Africa’s David Bedingham top-scored in the first innings, demonstrating admirable grit and drive with a 45-run knock off 111 balls. On Day 3, Australia resumed their second innings in an attempt to extend their lead and make things more difficult for the Proteas. However, Kagiso Rabada struck early, trapping Nathan Lyon in front of the wicket with the remaining pair of Starc and Hazlewood were still at the crease.