Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood created history by becoming the first pair ever to record a 50+ partnership for the tenth wicket in an ICC tournament final. Their 59-run stand came during the 2025 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa at Lord’s.
Key Details of the Record Partnership
- Partnership: 59 runs for the 10th wicket
- Players: Mitchell Starc (unbeaten 58) and Josh Hazlewood (17)
- Match: ICC World Test Championship Final, 2025
- Opposition: South Africa
- Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
This partnership was crucial for Australia, lifting them from a precarious position (134/8) to a much stronger total of 207, setting South Africa a challenging target of 282 runs to win the final Starc’s composed half-century and Hazlewood’s support frustrated the South African bowlers, who used six different bowlers in search of a breakthrough.
Historical Context
Prior to this, the highest 10th-wicket partnership in an ICC final was 41 runs, set by Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson for Australia against West Indies in the 1975 ODI World Cup final. Starc and Hazlewood’s 59-run stand is now the highest ever for the last wicket in any ICC tournament final.
| Partnership | Players | Runs | Match (Year) |
| 1. | Mitchell Starc & Josh Hazlewood | 59 | WTC Final, 2025 |
| 2. | Dennis Lillee & Jeff Thomson | 41 | ODI WC Final, 1975 |
| 3. | Syed Kirmani & Balwinder Sandhu | 22 | ODI WC Final, 1983 |
Additional Achievements
- This was the third time Starc and Hazlewood have shared a 50+ partnership for the tenth wicket in Tests, equaling the record for most such stands by a No. 10 pair in Test history.
- Their effort is also among the top five 10th-wicket stands by visiting teams at Lord’s.
Impact
The partnership was widely praised as a turning point in the match, helping Australia seize control and set a daunting target for South Africa in the final. It is being hailed as a partnership that will be remembered in cricket folklore for its significance and timing.
Also Read: Update: Most Five Wicket Hauls as a Captain in Test Cricket
Summary
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood’s 59-run stand is the first-ever 50+ partnership for the tenth wicket in an ICC tournament final, breaking a 50-year-old record and playing a pivotal role in Australia’s performance in the 2025 WTC final.
