[WATCH] WTC 2025 Final: Temba Bavuma’s abrasive knock is stopped by Marnus Labuschagne’s soaring catch

On Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC 2025) final at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham appeared to be in a dangerous partnership until Marnus Labuschagne made a spectacular catch to end it in the first session.

South Africa’s batting resumed at 43/4 on Thursday, June 12, with Bedingham and Temba Bavuma playing counterattacking cricket. In the sixth over of the day, the South African skipper was given a reprieve. Josh Hazlewood’s bowling got him out LBW. Replays showed that there was unmistakable daylight between bat and ball when Bavuma examined the ruling. Richard Kettleborough, the third umpire, followed the rules and requested that the on-field umpire reverse his ruling.

Bedingham and Temba Bavuma kept the scoreboard moving by batting with purpose.

But in South Africa’s opening innings, Australian skipper Pat Cummins defeated his opposite number off the second ball of the 40th over. A soft delivery full and outside the off-stump was bowled by him. Instead of looking to keep it down along the ground, Bavuma went for a drive uphill. Standing close to cover, Marnus Labuschagne dove to his right and made a quick catch with both hands. When his elbows struck the floor, he held onto the ball tightly.

Go here to see Marnus Labuschagne’s incredible catch:

Needed something like that to remove him what a take Marnus🥶 pic.twitter.com/HgMbP02v8R

— Shamilinho🇦🇺🇧🇷 (@shamilzaiin) June 12, 2025

After Temba Bavuma  struck 36 runs off 84 balls, including four fours and one six, his promising knock came to an end. He and Bedingham fashioned a vital 64-run partnership off 114 balls for the fifth wicket. South Africa was down to 94/5 at the time of Bavuma’s wicket, remaining 118 runs behind Australia’s first-inning total. Now that Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne have teamed up, it will be their responsibility to bring the Proteas as near to Australia’s total as possible.