In a match where every run felt like a battle, it was Mitchell Starc, of all people, who stood tall—not just as Australia’s premier fast bowler but as their unexpected batting hero. His unbeaten 58 on Day 3 of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s has not only frustrated a tenacious South African bowling unit but also left cricket fans buzzing. In a gritty display of skill, patience, and sheer determination, Starc helped Australia set a challenging target of 282.
Let’s unpack how this lower-order masterclass turned the tide in what is shaping up to be an epic showdown between two cricketing heavyweights.
The Morning Session: Grim Beginnings
Australia resumed Day 3 at 144 for 8, clinging onto a thread. With only Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon left from the frontline, South Africa sniffed an early finish. It took just nine balls for Lyon to be trapped LBW by Kagiso Rabada—a decision so straightforward even Lyon knew not to review it.
Rabada’s energy was palpable, and when Josh Hazlewood strolled in, even the most optimistic Aussie fan feared the worst. But Test cricket is always full of surprises.
Starc and Hazlewood’s Unexpected Resistance
What unfolded next was nearly two hours of old-school grit. Starc, who started the day at 14*, and Hazlewood batted like seasoned middle-order veterans. They stitched together a 59-run last-wicket stand that sucked the momentum out of the South African camp.
- Mitchell Starc: 58* off 132 balls
- Josh Hazlewood: 17 off 53 balls
- Time at crease: Nearly 120 minutes
This wasn’t just resistance—it was a slow bleed for South Africa, who couldn’t break through. They tried everything. Bounce. Line. Swing. Short balls. Full tosses. Nothing worked.
Conditions at Lord’s: Sunshine and Strategy
Weather, as always in England, played its part. The cloud cover from Days 1 and 2 disappeared, replaced by warm sunlight that made batting easier.
“Once the sun’s out at Lord’s, batting isn’t a nightmare. Starc read that perfectly,” noted former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting in commentary.
With minimal movement off the seam and a relatively docile pitch, Starc played risk-free cricket. He only opened up when absolutely necessary and looked surprisingly composed.
Stat Attack: Tailender Heroics
Starc’s knock was not just pivotal in the context of the match; it also carved out a place for him in cricketing record books:
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Test 50s at No. 9 or below | 8 (most by any tailender in Test history) |
| Balls faced | 132 |
| Boundaries | 7 |
| Last-wicket stand | 59 runs |
And that boundary which brought up his 50? A thick edge that sailed just over the slips, drawing equal measures of sighs and applause.
South Africa’s Desperate Measures
By the time the stand crossed 50, South African skipper Temba Bavuma had already tried every conventional option. As a last resort, he handed the ball to part-timer Aiden Markram.
To Markram’s credit, he bowled a tidy first over and then, as if the cricket gods smiled upon his bravery, he got Hazlewood caught off a soft delivery.
That marked the end of Australia’s innings at 207, giving them a lead of 281 runs overall. Given the earlier collapse, it felt like a win.
What This Means for Day 4
South Africa have a mountain to climb. The pitch has flattened a bit, but chasing 282 in a pressure-cooker Final at Lord’s is no small task.
Here are a few things to watch:
- Australia’s opening bowlers: With Cummins and Starc fresh, the new ball could be lethal.
- South African top order: They need a solid start to avoid panic.
- Time factor: Plenty of time left. But so is the mental toll.
A Starc-Studded Morning
Mitchell Starc’s 58* wasn’t flashy. It was fundamental. And sometimes, it’s these dogged, unassuming innings that shift momentum and win Test matches.
Australia will sleep easier knowing they have the upper hand. South Africa? They’ll be lying awake thinking about how a bowler just might have broken their backs with the bat.
What do you think? Can South Africa bounce back or is this game heading Down Under? Share your thoughts in the comments!
