Epic World Test Final heading for thrilling conclusion

Australia 212 all out and 144/8

South Africa 138 all out

The ICC World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's remains up for grabs, after Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi responded strongly to Pat Cummins' six-wicket haul on a thrilling second day's play at Lord's on Thursday.

Cummins' superb spell helped rout South Africa for just 138 and saw Australia take a lead of 74 on the first innings but the Proteas' quicks fired up in reply as Rabada and Ngidi combined for six wickets to leave the Aussies reeling at 144/8 in their second dig heading into the third day on Friday.

They boast an overall lead of 218, with Mitchell Starc (16) and Nathan Lyon (1) to resume on day three with the World Test Championship Final still in the balance.

After South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma took the attack to Australia early on Day 2, a flying catch from Marnus Labuschagne help bring Australia back in the contest.

When Cummins ripped through South Africa's batting order early on the second day, it looked like Australia were well on their way to winning a second consecutive World Test Championship mace.

But South Africa's quicks showed plenty of fight, with Rabada once again leading the way and Ngidi feeding off his energy to join in on the party as Australia's top-order succumbed to some high-class bowling.

Rabada collected a five-wicket haul in the first innings when Australia mustered what now looks a good total of 212 and the South Africa pace spearhead was at his brilliant best yet again as he removed Usman Khawaja (6) and Cameron Green (0) in quick succession to give the Proteas hope.

Left-armer Marco Jansen got Labuschagne (22) to nick one and then Ngidi got the massive wicket of Steve Smith (13) to reduce Australia to 48/4 and the rot deepened further when Travis Head (9) was bowled by Wiaan Mulder as the Proteas found some more belief.

Australia fell to 73/7 and it took a late rearguard from Alex Carey (41) and Starc in the final hour to steady the ship for Australia as the World Test Championship Final remained in the balance after yet another day of non-stop action.

Earlier, Cummins finished with figures of 6/28 - the third best effort of his Test career - as South Africa were skittled for just 138 to hand Australia a 78-run lead on the first innings.

It was Cummins' 14th five-wicket haul in Tests and ninth as captain, taking up past Indian great Bishan Bedi and up to equal second on the list for the most Test cricket five-fors as captain.

Cummins bowled superbly throughout his long spell on Thursday, varying his pace and length with great skill and plenty of thought as South Africa's batting line-up was outclassed in reply to Australia's first innings total of 212.

South African counterpart Bavuma (36) gave his side brief momentum during the morning session until he was undone by a superb catch by Labuschagne, while No 6 David Bedingham played well for his contribution of 45.

Only two other South Africa batters made it into double figures, with the Australian bowling line-up - led superbly by Cummins - upping the pressure when required only to see their advantage pegged back by the Proteas in a tight contest in north London.

The match ends what has been a gripping World Test Championship cycle, where the Proteas won seven straight Test matches to seal their spot in the decider, while Australia are looking to become the first team to claim back-to-back championships, with the concept commencing in 2019.

South Africa XI: 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Ryan Rickelton, 3 Wiaan Mulder, 4 Temba Bavuma (captain), 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 David Bedingham, 7 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Lungi Ngidi.

Australia XI: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Marnus Labuschagne, 3 Cameron Green, 4 Steve Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Beau Webster, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (captain), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood.