WTC Final: Australia`s Starc-Hazlewood script history at historic Lord`s

Australia`s Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood scripted history by smashing the joint-highest 10th-wicket partnership in an ICC knockout match during the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa.

Resuming Day 3 at 144 runs for the loss of eight wickets, the `Baggy Greens` lost the early wicket of Nathan Lyon. Despite the loss of a wicket, Starc kept fighting and posted a crucial half-century. With this, he also became the first player to score a half-century by coming into to bat at number nine below in an ICC knockout match.

Shouldering him was Hazlewood, who scored 17 runs in three balls, including two boundaries. The duo posted a partnership of 59 runs for the last wicket, which in return helped Australia set a target of 282 runs against South Africa.

The 35-year-old Starc stayed unbeaten on 58 runs after facing 136 deliveries. During his knock, the left-hander smashed five boundaries.

The Starc-Hazlewood duo are now sharing the top spot with New Zealand`s Jeetan Patel and James Franklin, who helped the Kiwis go from 149 runs for nine to 208 all out against Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 semifinal.

Coming to the match, batting first, Australia managed to put on a score of 212 runs. Steve Smith was the top scorer for Australia in the first innings, as he scored 66 runs in 112 balls. He also smashed 10 boundaries. Beau Webster accumulated 72 runs off 92 deliveries, which was laced with 11 boundaries.

Later, Alex Carey scored 23 runs in the final phase of the first innings. The Proteas` lead pacer Kagiso Rabada registered a five-wicket haul for 51 runs in 15.4 overs. Marco Jansen, too, grabbed three wickets by conceding 49 runs in 14 overs. Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram registered one wicket each to their names.

On day two, South Africa started with better intent with the bat, as skipper Temba Bavuma (36 in 84 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and David Bedingham (45 in 111 balls, with six fours) put on a half-century partnership to start off the day. However, skipper Pat Cummins (6/28) delivered historic bowling figures, triggering another collapse that bundled out the Proteas for just 138 runs. SA trailed by 74 runs.

During Australia`s second innings, Proteas` pace took the spotlight once again, sinking Aussies to 73/7. However, Alex Carey (43 in 50 balls, with five fours) put in a 61-run stand with Starc to finish off day two at 144/8.

Resuming Day 3, Australia lost the early wicket of Nathan Lyon. Despite the loss of a wicket, Starc and Hazlewood kept fighting to help Australia set a target of 282 runs in the title clash at the Lord`s Cricket Ground.

Rabada (4/59) and Lungi Ngidi (3/38) shone with the ball for South Africa, with Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram getting a wicket each.

(With ANI Inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day