Starc's Patient 58 Sets Up Thrilling Chase in World Test Championship Final

Mitchell Starc's unbeaten 58 helps Australia set South Africa a daunting target of 282 runs in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Can the Proteas pull off a remarkable chase or will Australia's bowlers seal the win?

Australia's last-wicket pair, comprising Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, stitched a crucial 59-run partnership, propelling Australia to a formidable total and setting South Africa a daunting target of 282 runs to win the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Starc's masterful, unbeaten 58 off 136 balls, featuring five boundaries, was instrumental in Australia's second innings total of 207, leaving South Africa with a mountain to climb on the fourth day.

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have put on the highest 10th-wicket partnership in any men's ICC final 💪 pic.twitter.com/bmtwFSFgp1

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 13, 2025

The Proteas had eyed a quicker breakthrough, but Starc and Hazlewood's resilience thwarted their hopes, taking two hours to dismiss the Australian duo. Hazlewood contributed 17 off 53 deliveries before being trapped by Aiden Markram's part-time off-spin, which slightly dented South Africa's momentum. With the pitch expected to become more docile, the visitors will fancy their chances of defending the total, while South Africa will need to produce a remarkable batting performance to chase down the target.

South Africa faces a daunting task, needing to produce the joint second-highest successful run chase in Test history at Lord's, matching England's 282-run chase against New Zealand in 2004. The highest successful chase remains the West Indies' remarkable 342-run victory over England in 1984. Although the pitch has flattened out, offering some hope, Australia's strong position makes them favorites to retain their title. Mitchell Starc's unbeaten 58 off 136 balls, supported by a crucial 59-run partnership with Josh Hazlewood, helped Australia set a target of 282 runs for South Africa to chase.

The pitch's change in conditions could aid South Africa's batting prospects. While 28 wickets fell in the first two days, the match's outcome remains uncertain, with both teams still in contention. Australia's bowlers, led by Pat Cummins' impressive 6-28 spell, will aim to restrict South Africa's batsmen and defend the total.

Australia's captain Pat Cummins had modest expectations, hoping to add 20-30 runs to their 218-run lead on the third day, but the team's tailenders exceeded those hopes. Nathan Lyon's early dismissal, trapped lbw by Kagiso Rabada for just 2 runs, seemed to signal another wicket would fall soon. However, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood formed a crucial partnership, thwarting South Africa's plans to restrict the target. Starc's unbeaten 58 off 136 balls, featuring 5 boundaries, was instrumental in setting a challenging target of 282 runs for South Africa to chase.

Came to the middle at 73/7 and stuck around to lift Australia to 207, facing more balls than any other player this match.

In a low-scoring Test, such a crucial innings from Mitchell Starc 💪 pic.twitter.com/BQcq65GAsw

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 13, 2025

The pair's 59-run stand for the last wicket took Australia to 207 runs in their second innings, leaving South Africa with a daunting task. Starc's patience and skill allowed him to navigate the South African attack, while Hazlewood contributed 17 runs off 53 deliveries before falling to Aiden Markram's part-time spin. Rabada finished with impressive figures of 4-59, but Starc and Hazlewood's resilience ultimately set the stage for a thrilling contest.

Mitchell Starc played a patient innings, carefully accumulating runs and shielding Josh Hazlewood as they built a crucial partnership. Starc's disciplined approach paid off when he brought up his half-century with a well-timed cut shot, taking Australia past 200 runs in the process. This milestone came after Australia had been reeling at 73-7 on the second day, highlighting the significance of Starc and Hazlewood's late-game heroics.

The South African bowlers grew increasingly desperate as the target continued to rise, employing six bowlers in their quest for a breakthrough. Despite their best efforts, Starc and Hazlewood's partnership thwarted their plans, setting a challenging target of 282 runs for the Proteas to chase in pursuit of the World Test Championship title.

Aiden Markram's part-time spin proved crucial as Josh Hazlewood was finally dismissed, dragging the ball to Keshav Maharaj at cover for 17 off 53 balls. The breakthrough ended the 59-run partnership between Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, setting South Africa a challenging target of 282 runs. Given South Africa's first-innings score of 138, the task seems daunting, but they have two and a half days to attempt the chase.