FACE OFF

THERE will be a number of mini battles that will determine the outcome of the war between South Africa and Australia in the Word Test Championship at Lord’s over the next five days. 

Here we take a look at some of the big guns that could have a huge impact on the result. 

Pat Cummins (Australia) 

NOW 32, Australia skipper Pat Cummins has established himself as one of the great fast bowlers in his country’s storied history.

Along with the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, Australia will have South Africa’s batsmen ducking and diving. 

Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) 

BORN in South Africa, Labuschagne is familiar with conditions in the UK, having played club cricket in England when he first broke through.

Nathan Lyon (Australia) 

ONE of just nine players in history to have taken 500 Test wickets, Lyon, 37, is closing in on Glenn McGrath as Australia’s second most prolific Test bowler.

Steve Smith (Australia) 

FROM leg-spinning all-rounder to one of the greatest batters ever to represent Australia, the gevaarlikeSmith averages 56.74 in Test cricket.

Temba Bavuma (South Africa) 

BAVUMA arrives at Lord’s fresh from an excellent home summer, scoring centuries against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The 35-year-old captain is currently listed sixth in the ICC’s men’s Test batting rankings.

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) 

AN ELITE pace bowler, Rabada is fifth on South Africa’s all-time list of Test wicket takers and arrives at Lord’s three shy of levelling Allan Donald’s tally of 330.

He is ranked second in the world in Tests and is already on the honours board at the Home of Cricket after taking 5/52 against England in 2022.

Ryan Rickelton (South Africa) 

THE stylish left-hander made a dream start to 2025, scoring 259 against Pakistan at Newlands during his first innings as a Test opener before winning the SA20 with MI Cape Town.

Rickelton will be out to get SA off to a good start at the top of the order. 

Marco Jansen (South Africa) 

The giant 2.06m left-armer averages under 22 with the ball after 17 Tests, with the highlight coming in Durban last year when he ripped through Sri Lanka with seven for 13 as the Proteas skittled their opponents for just 42.