In the World Test Championship 2025 final, Australian captain Pat Cummins decimated the South African batting lineup with his lethal bowling. Faced with Cummins' fiery spells, the entire Proteas team was bundled out for a mere 138 runs.
Sports News: While the World Test Championship 2025 final was a contest between two teams, its true hero was one man – Pat Cummins. The Australian captain, with his incisive bowling on the historic Lord's pitch, restricted South Africa to 138 runs, completely altering the match's trajectory. Taking 6 wickets for 28 runs in 18.1 overs, Cummins was not only the most destructive bowler of the match but also set several historic records.
His performance proved he is not only leading the team as captain but also remains the biggest threat to the opposition as a bowler.
Cummins' 'Captain's Spell' – Making History at Lord's
Cummins' spell at Lord's was nothing short of a classical symphony – precise line and length, swing, and aggressive strategy from start to finish. The most remarkable aspect of his spell was his economy rate – a mere 1.50. Such economical and lethal bowling is rare in the modern era. Four of his six wickets were top-order batsmen, including captain Dean Elgar and in-form batsman Aiden Markram.
Joining the 300-Wicket Club in Tests
With this historic performance, Pat Cummins also surpassed the 300-wicket mark in Test cricket. He became the eighth Australian bowler to achieve this feat. This exemplifies his consistent performance, showcasing his dominance not only in limited-overs cricket but also in red-ball cricket.
Shattering Record Books
Cummins' 6/28 spell set a new record for the best bowling figures by a captain in a Test match at Lord's. He surpassed several legendary bowlers:
- Pat Cummins - 6/28, Year 2025
- Bob Willis - 6/101, Year 1982
- Gabby Allen - 5/35, 5/42, Year 1936
- Daniel Vettori - 5/69, Year 2008
Among the Best Strike Rates in Test History
Cummins now ranks fourth in terms of strike rate among bowlers with 300+ wickets in Test history. Only Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, and Waqar Younis have better strike rates, highlighting Cummins' exceptional wicket-taking ability.
- Kagiso Rabada - 39.1 Strike Rate
- Dale Steyn - 42.3 Strike Rate
- Waqar Younis - 43.4 Strike Rate
- Pat Cummins - 45.7 Strike Rate
- Malcolm Marshall - 46.7 Strike Rate
Cummins' performance once again demonstrates that he is successfully carrying forward the tradition of classic Australian fast bowling – a name added to the lineage of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, and Dennis Lillee. His leadership skills, calm demeanor, and aggression on the field make him one of Australia's most well-rounded Test captains ever.
