Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood showed great fight on the third morning of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, frustrating South Africa with a gutsy last-wicket stand of 59 runs. Their partnership helped Australia stretch their second innings total to 207 and set a tough target of 282.

Australia started the day at 144 for 8. Nathan Lyon didn’t last long and was trapped LBW by Kagiso Rabada in just the second over of the morning. When Hazlewood walked in, South Africa would have expected to wrap things up quickly. But Starc and Hazlewood had other plans.

The pair battled hard and stayed at the crease for almost two hours. The pitch had eased up a bit, and the sun was out, making batting easier than the first two days. Starc, who was on 14 overnight, took full advantage of the conditions. He played with great patience and slowly built his innings. He reached a well-deserved half-century from 132 balls.

Just before lunch, Marco Jansen came back to bowl and got an edge off Starc’s bat, but the ball flew over the slips for four. That shot not only brought up Starc’s fifty but also raised the fifty-run partnership for the last wicket. It was Starc’s eighth Test fifty from the No. 9 position or lower the most by any tailender in Test history.

With no breakthrough in sight, South African captain Temba Bavuma turned to part-time bowler Aiden Markram. The move paid off. After bowling a tight first over, Markram got Hazlewood out for 17 from 53 balls in his second over, ending Australia’s innings.

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Twitter reactions after Strac Scored 50 in WTC Final

 

Playing 100 balls as a bowler is not everyone's cup of tea#AUSvSA #WTCFinal #MitchelStarc pic.twitter.com/X7C7eqKFSj

— Memes Banisalu (@Memes_Banisalu) June 13, 2025

 

No arrogance
No self obsession
No attitude
Never played for economy
No unnecessary rest
No choking in knockouts
No illegal action
Can hold bat too

Ladies and gentleman that's Mitchell Starc for you 🐐pic.twitter.com/umDrH9rxsf

— D.🇲🇰 (@dkhive102) June 13, 2025

 

Mitchell Starc is a bowler❌
Mitchell Starc is a Batsman❌

Mitchell Starc is an all-rounder ✅ pic.twitter.com/s3avWX5oc1

— Lokesh Saini🚩 (@LokeshVirat18K) June 13, 2025

 

🚨Hats off to Starc!🚨

You may somehow escape Mitchell Starc’s fire-breathing bowling, but then comes his fearless batting will break your defense. A true match-winner and one of the greatest players of this generation.

-Huge respect for Starc 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gSQdvAbTAf

— Niik (@Niiki099) June 13, 2025

 

A knock that made the coach smile, the captain happy, and his wife proud👏

Mitchell Starc won’t forget this one for a long time. pic.twitter.com/tDpuTaotR0

— Root Jaiswal (@JaiswalRoot) June 13, 2025

 

Mitchell Starc with Bat - 👽
Mitchell Starc with Ball - 💀 pic.twitter.com/r6wJDaKqwr

— legendary GOATS (@goats_legend) June 13, 2025

 

Another day, another match-winning spell from Starc!
How lucky is Australia to have this legend still firing on all cylinders? 🇦🇺🏆 #MitchellStarc #GOAT pic.twitter.com/LmIp6doG5k

— vikash Kumar Sinha (@vikashaps) June 13, 2025

 

Set aside his bowling — when the team’s in deep trouble, he steps up with the bat. Walked in at 72/7 and dragged them to a fighting 207, facing the most balls.
Clutch performer in knockout games, every single time! 🔥#WTCFinal #MitchellStarc pic.twitter.com/jmuCXVkyC6

— Srinath Roychowdhury (@SrinathRoychow1) June 13, 2025