Australia captain Pat Cummins made history at Lord’s in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa on Thursday by becoming the highest wicket-taker in the ongoing WTC 2023–2025 cycle, surpassing India’s Jasprit Bumrah’s tally of 77 wickets. On the same day, he also became the leading wicket-taker in ICC tournament finals across formats, overtaking teammate Mitchell Starc’s tally of 11 wickets.
Six-Wicket Haul of Pat Cummins Floors South Africa
Cummins bowled a dramatic 6/28 in 18.1 overs, tearing through South Africa’s batting order as they collapsed for a mere 138 in their first innings. The incendiary spell took an early grip on the final for Australia, with Cummins taking all six wickets to fall on Day 2.
Pat Cummins Joins Australia’s Elite 300-Wicket Club
The milestone day also witnessed Cummins become the eighth Australian bowler to achieve 300 Test wickets. He joined a star-studded list that consists of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Dennis Lillee, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc. He recorded the achievement by bowling out Kagiso Rabada.
Best Bowling Figures by a Captain at Lord’s
Cummins’ 6/28 is currently the captain’s best bowling performance in Tests at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground. He surpassed Bob Willis’ 6/101 against India in 1982 to achieve the feat. The spell was not only productive but also rich in symbolism, as it came at cricket’s spiritual home.
With this achievement, Cummins tied the record of nine five-wicket performance as a Test captain with the great Richie Benaud. He is now only behind Imran Khan, who tops the list with 12 five-wicket performances. Cummins’ leadership and consistency continue to raise his profile in world cricket.
One of the Best of the 2023–2025 Test Cycle
In the current 2023–2025 WTC cycle, Cummins has been the top performer. He has grabbed 79 wickets in 18 games at an average of 23.03 and a strike rate of 41.53, with four five-wicket hauls and six four-wicket hauls. His dominance is evident even compared to great bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc.
Pat Cummins’ recent achievement is just the icing on his legacy. As captain and first-choice bowler, he has never disappointed in the big moments. As records fall and his side prospers, Cummins is solidifying himself as one of the greatest captains of fast bowlers in cricket history.