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WTC25 Final Day 1: Rabada 5 Wicket, Australia All Out 212
Updated - 12-JUN-2025 5:33 IST
On 11 June, the World Test Championship 2025 Final is being played between South Africa and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground. Day 1 is dominated by pacers, with South Africa’s pacers Kagiso Rabada taking a five-wicket haul and becoming the fourth highest wicket-taker for South Africa in Tests.
Day 1 Summary
Rabada 5-wicket haul and Jansen 3 wickets, Australia all out under 212
With cloudy skies, South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first, which was perfect for seamers and swing.
With a five-wicket haul, Kagiso Rabada (5 for 51) overtook Allan Donald to become the second bowler to reach the WTC Final and South Africa's fourth-highest Test wicket-taker (332 wickets). Marco Jansen completed a potent opening bowling tandem with a 3 for 49.
Australia lost Khawaja (a 20-ball duck that tied a 137-year-old record), Green, Labuschagne, and Head as early inroads caused them to fall to 67 for 4 by lunchtime. Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66) combined to form a 95-run partnership that steadied the batting and helped Australia to a competitive total. They fell after tea, losing five wickets for 20 runs as a result of Rabada and Jansen's unrelenting attack.
Australia pacers dominated over South Africa batters, SA lost 4 top-order batters in just 43 runs scored
As the ball reversed and the ground stayed lively, Australia's speed battery—Mitchell Starc (2–10), Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood—successfully took advantage of the circumstances. Hazlewood knocked out Stubbs, Cummins removed Mulder, and Starc struck twice, getting rid of Markram and Rickelton early. South Africa was struggling at 43 for 4, 169 runs behind, with only David Bedingham (8*) and Temba Bavuma (3*) at the wicket.
Day 1 Go For Australia: Leads by 169 Runs, 4 Wickets Down For South Africa
With a 169-run advantage in the first innings and South Africa four runs behind, Australia is in control. A thrilling second day is in store as Australia seeks total control and the Proteas try to prevent a first-inning meltdown.