• Source:JND
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AUS vs SA, WTC Final 2025: Australia's star batter Steve Smith had to go off the field after hurting his finger on the third day of their WTC Final match against South Africa at Lord's on Friday.

In a major scare to the Australian team, Smith took a blow while attempting a catch. He was standing in close at slip with a helmet on when South Africa captain Temba Bavuma edged one into the cordon off pacer Mitchell Starc, and the Australia veteran grassed the chance with Bavuma on just two at the time.

The 36-year-old was replaced by young opening batter Sam Konstas on the field. However, after a few overs, Konstas required medical attention too and was replaced by Matt Kuhnemann on the field.

Notably, Smith was standing about 154 metres from the stumps and didn't have much time to react before picking up an injury. He lost the balance while moving to his left as the ball came to his right. He immediately fell to the ground in pain before walking off.

South Africa skipper Bavuma was batting on 2 when he was reprieved by Smith.

At tea on the third day of the WTC final, South Africa finished on 94/2 in their second innings with Aiden Markram (49*) and skipper Temba Bavuma (11*) in the middle and keeping things alive for the Proteas in the challenging run chase. The duo has stitched a 24-run stand for the third wicket.

South Africa lost an early wicket as Ryan Rickelton departed for just 6 runs in the third over, whereas Wiaan Mulder couldn't convert the start he got and was dismissed for 27 runs. Mitchell Starc took both the wickets for his side.

While South Africa ned 188 runs to win their maiden WTC title, Australia need eight wickets to wrap things up.

 

AUS vs SA Playing XIs, WTC Final 2025

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi