Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins was overwhelmed with joy after he achieved the major career milestone of 300 Test wickets during the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's.
The bowling speed spearhead was central to breaking South Africa's batting unit, ending the day on an outstanding 6 for 28 on day two of the match.
With his 14th career five-wicket haul, Cummins not only led the way but also became only the eighth Australian to breach the 300-wicket mark in Test cricket—a milestone he conceded went beyond his own expectations.
It's much more than I could have hoped for," Cummins said to the ICC. "Three hundred is a huge number and I have fought a few niggles and injuries and got through and played all right in various conditions, so I'm very pleased.
His performance at the iconic ground was also a milestone as he became the first pace-bowling captain after 1982 to take a five-wicket haul at Lord's. Cummins' contribution finished off South Africa for just 138 in 57.1 overs, giving Australia a crucial 74-run lead in the first innings.
Discussing the conditions of the pitch, Cummins opined that the batters and bowlers had to struggle. "When the ball did get a bit softer, there wasn't too much in it, but somehow it feels like the odd ball is biting a bit. It feels like if you bowl well, it is hard to make runs, so there is a bit in it for both," he stated.
Cummins has maintained his excellent run in the current 2023–25 World Test Championship period, with 79 wickets at a remarkable average of 23.03 to date. With the advantage squarely in the hands of Australia, they are now seemingly ready to claim yet another WTC title, after their 209-run victory over India in the 2023 final at The Oval.
Read also| Pakistan Omit Babar, Rizwan & Shaheen from T20 Squads to Bangladesh and West Indies
Read also| Arshdeep Singh Returns to Kent to Sharpen Red‑Ball Form Ahead of England Test Debut
