Day 2 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at Lord’s saw one of the main talking points when South African batter David Bedingham was involved in a bizarre handball dispute.

Bedingham inside-edged a delivery onto his pad in South Africa’s 49th over, delivered by Beau Webster of Australia. The ball steadily slid down, and Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey moved forward to take the catch.

However, David Bedingham quickly lunged down with his hand and grounded the ball before Carey could grab it.

The event attracted comments from Australia’s close-in fielders, including captain Pat Cummins, who asked umpires Richard Illingworth and Chris Gaffaney to consult. Eventually, they declared the ball dead. Following the day’s play, David Bedingham addressed the situation and acknowledged to worrying in the moment.

“I panicked because I thought Carey was standing up, so he was really close. I believe the manner I dropped and picked up the ball was suspicious. I’m delighted they just withdrew their appeal… I’m glad nothing came out of it. “The umpire said,’regardless, I think it was dead ball’,” Bedingham stated during the press conference.

We would have dropped our appeal. Pat Cummins

Meanwhile, the Marylebone Cricket Club’s Law 20.1.1 clarified the umpires’ conclusion. According to the rule, if the ball becomes trapped between the bat and the hitter or their clothing, it is considered dead. The umpires ruled that the ball was trapped and hence no longer in play. Pat Cummins, the Australian skipper, also contributed significantly to the de-escalation.

“The umpires said it was (a) dead ball first of all, but I think we would have withdrawn (the appeal),” stated the captain.

Pat Cummins later dismissed Bedingham for 45, the leading scorer in South Africa’s total of 138. His dismissal concluded the Proteas’ first innings and gave Australia a 74-run lead. By stumps on Day 2, Australia had 144/8, a 218-run lead.