Lungi lights up gloomy Lord's to provide SA with glimmer of hope

The entire motivation behind the World Test Championship is for the values of the five-day game to be preserved and cherished.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

In its purest form, that means highly-skilled bowlers and batters constantly testing each other.

It is understood that without one, the other will cease to exist.

Tell that to the capacity crowds that have been utterly enthralled on two consecutive days of this pulsating World Test Championship final between the Proteas and Australia that is stuck in overdrive.

Fourteen wickets fell on Wednesday's opening day, and it was perfectly matched on Thursday in the British capital.

But it was the five sticks that fell between tea and drinks in 14 intoxicating overs that was spellbinding.

Ridiculed from all quarters for his listless performance in the first innings, Lungi Ngidi rose like a phoenix from the ashes in the gloom of St John's Wood.

With the floodlights bearing down from above the pavilions, the famed old ground was transformed into a gladiatorial-like coliseum.

Australia had moved seemingly into a comfortable position at 32/2 - beefed up by a 74-run lead after earlier sending the Proteas crashing to 138 all out with two of their most senior batters in Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith at the crease.