In a scathing post-match analysis, Australian legend Matthew Hayden and South African pace great Dale Steyn didn’t hold back in criticising Pat Cummins’ defensive tactics during the fourth day of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at Lord’s. With South Africa chasing 282 and wobbling at 70/2, both experts felt Australia missed a golden opportunity to tighten the screws — especially with Temba Bavuma battling a visible hamstring injury and barely able to run.

Despite Bavuma’s physical limitations, he and Aiden Markram forged a stunning unbeaten 143-run stand, ending the day at 213/2 — just 69 runs shy of a historic Test victory and their maiden ICC trophy. Markram played a gem, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 102, while Bavuma showed incredible grit, finishing on 65* even though he was effectively batting on one leg.

Speaking to broadcasters, Matthew Hayden expressed disbelief at Australia’s approach. “This defensive mindset was baffling,” he said. “After getting Rickelton and Mulder, they had South Africa on the ropes. That was the moment to pounce on Bavuma, place aggressive catchers, and force the error. Instead, they pulled back. You can’t defend a WTC title like that — you have to bowl teams out.”

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Hayden stressed that key field placements — especially catching covers and close-in fielders — were missing when they were most needed. “Had they been more attacking, one mis-hit early from Bavuma could’ve changed the game. But they let him settle.”

Steyn, known for his aggressive brand of cricket, echoed Hayden’s sentiments. “It was surprising to see the lack of attacking fields,” he noted. “When the ball’s keeping low like it was today, you have to use positions like short cover and short midwicket. They become your catching cordon when edges aren’t carrying to the slips.”

He further added, “In India, we always placed fielders in those catching spots because the ball doesn’t travel. You have to adapt to conditions — Australia didn’t today.”

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As South Africa inches closer to a monumental win, questions are being raised not just about execution, but also leadership — and whether Cummins let a potential title defense slip through passive captaincy.