ICC WTC Final 2025 [WATCH]: South Africa’s brilliant review removes Steve Smith on Day 2 of SA vs AUS clash

The Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at Lord’s brought another dramatic twist as South Africa struck at a crucial moment to dismiss one of Australia’s most dependable batters. With the pressure building and the match finely balanced, a moment of timely decision-making brings back Proteas in the game.

A successful review leads to Steve Smith’s dismissal at a crucial stage of the match

After a poor performance with the bat in their first innings, South Africa responded well with the ball. They removed Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green early, both falling for low scores, and then grabbed the big wicket of Steve Smith — a key moment that brought South Africa back into the match. With a few more quick wickets in the middle of the session, the game suddenly became much more balanced.

The turning point came in the 19th over when Lungi Ngidi bowled a great delivery to get rid of Smith. It was full and angled in towards the stumps. Smith moved across to play it but missed, and the ball struck his pads. The appeal was turned down by umpire Chris Gaffaney, but Ngidi was confident and convinced captain Temba Bavuma to take a review. The replays showed the ball would have hit the stumps, and the decision was overturned. Smith, looking solid until then, had to walk off.

Here’s the video:

Also WATCH: Kagiso Rabada dismisses Cameron Green with a jaffa on Day 2 of SA vs AUS clash

Proteas fight back with the ball after batting collapse on Day 2

South Africa have managed to pull themselves back into the game on Day 2 of the WTC Final. After a major batting collapse earlier in the day, the Proteas’ bowlers stepped up to keep their hopes alive. Kagiso Rabada gave them a strong start by removing Australia’s top order, and Ngidi followed with an impressive spell that broke through the middle order. His wickets included Beau Webster, who had scored a crucial fifty in the first innings.

Even with those key breakthroughs, Australia’s lead has now gone past 150, and the pitch is starting to offer more help to the bowlers. This means South Africa’s batters will face a tough challenge in the final innings, especially after their poor performance with the bat earlier in the match. To stay in the contest and have a real chance at the title, South Africa will need a focused and determined effort from their batting line-up.

Also READ: Fans erupt as Pat Cummins’ fiery spell destroys South African batting on Day 2 of the WTC Final