Australia captain Pat Cummins starred with the ball and Alex Carey made valuable runs following a dramatic collapse as the holders retained the advantage in the World Test Championship final against South Africa on Thursday. Fast bowler Cummins produced a sensational spell of four wickets for one run, sparking South Africa`s collapse to 138 all out on the second day in reply to Australia`s first innings total of 212 at Lord`s. Australia collapsed to 73-7 in their second innings, with Kagiso Rabada (3-44) and Lungi Ngidi (3-35) doing the bulk of the damage. But Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16 not out) shared an eighth-wicket partnership of 61 before the wicketkeeper was lbw to Rabada shortly before the close. 

The last over of the day saw Starc dropped on 14 when Marco Jansen shelled a routine catch off Wiaan Mulder. At stumps Australia were 144-8, a potentially decisive lead of 218 runs. A remarkable 28 wickets fell in two days on a pitch which, while offering some assistance to the quicks, was by no means unplayable. But a match scheduled for five days, could now finish before the end of the third. "In England when it`s overcast, the ball seems to do a bit more," Starc told the BBC. "Everyone is quick to jump on the batters but you`ve got to notice the good bowling from both sides." Ngidi, meanwhile, insisted South Africa were still in the game. 

"It`s in the balance right now," he said. "Two wickets in hand, if we can knock those over and maybe chase 225, people are going to get their money`s worth." Rabada, who had taken 5-51 in the first innings, tormented Australia again with two wickets in the 11th over. He had Usman Khawaja caught behind for six and, two balls later, removed Cameron Green for a duck following the number three`s four in the first innings. Wickets continued to tumble after tea. Left-arm quick Jansen had Marnus Labuschagne, in his first Test as an opener, caught behind for 22. And Australia`s 44-3 became 48-4 next over when Beau Webster, who top-scored in Australia`s first innings with 72, fell lbw to Ngidi.