Starc and Hazlewood Create History with Record 10th-Wicket Stand in WTC Final

LONDON : Australian pace duo Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood etched their names into the record books on Friday with a historic 10th-wicket partnership in the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa at The Oval. The pair added 59 crucial runs, setting a new benchmark for the highest last-wicket stand in an ICC tournament knockout match.

Australia, who resumed their second innings at 144/8 on Day 3, had already lost Nathan Lyon early in the day. But Starc’s resilient batting down the order turned the tide. He not only brought up a fighting half-century—his first in ICC knockout games and the first by any batter at number nine or below in such matches—but also anchored the innings with Hazlewood’s solid support at the other end. Hazlewood, typically known for his bowling, held his ground for a gritty 17 off 53 deliveries, including two boundaries.

Their stand of 59 runs helped Australia post 207 in their second innings, setting South Africa a competitive target of 282 to win the coveted World Test Championship mace. The pair joined the elite ranks of New Zealanders Jeetan Patel and James Franklin, who stitched a 59-run 10th-wicket stand in the 2007 ICC World Cup semi-final, albeit in a losing effort against Sri Lanka.

Earlier in the match, Australia were put in to bat and suffered early setbacks, reaching 67/4 by lunch on Day 1. A 79-run stand between Steve Smith (66 off 112) and Beau Webster (72 off 92) helped them recover, followed by a 46-run partnership between Webster and Alex Carey (23 off 31). However, South African pacers Kagiso Rabada (5/51) and Marco Jansen (3/49) ensured Australia were bowled out for 212.

South Africa’s reply faltered as they slumped to 43/4 by stumps on Day 1. On Day 2, skipper Temba Bavuma (36 off 84) and David Bedingham (45 off 111) staged a brief fightback with a half-century partnership. But Pat Cummins produced a sensational spell of 6/28, dismantling the Proteas for just 138 and giving Australia a 74-run lead.

In their second innings, Australia again struggled against South Africa’s pace attack, slipping to 73/7. Carey’s counterattacking 43 and his 61-run stand with Starc steadied the innings before the final-wicket heroics from Starc and Hazlewood pushed the target past the 280-run mark.

South Africa’s bowlers were impressive again in the second innings. Rabada claimed 4/59, while Lungi Ngidi (3/38), Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, and Aiden Markram chipped in with a wicket each.

The final innings promises a thrilling conclusion as South Africa chase 282 runs under high pressure. Australia, boosted by their record-breaking lower-order resistance, will look to defend the target and lift the WTC mace.