South Africa’s Star Pacer Shines in Exciting Day 1 Action
London, June 11, 2025 – The iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground was buzzing with excitement on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, as South Africa’s fast bowling hero Kagiso Rabada bowled like a dream to bundle out Australia for just 211 runs. Rabada’s fiery spell of 5 wickets for 51 runs stole the show, giving South Africa a strong start in their first-ever WTC Final. But with South Africa struggling at 43/4 by the end of the day, this match is set for a thrilling ride!
A Brave Call to Bowl First
South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and surprised everyone by choosing to bowl first under cloudy skies at Lord’s, a ground where teams often prefer to bat. His decision paid off big time, thanks to Rabada and his pace partners, who made the ball swing and seam to trouble the Australian batsmen from the start.
Rabada’s Magic with the Ball
Rabada was unstoppable right from his first over. Bowling with speed and accuracy, he got Australia’s Usman Khawaja out for a duck, caught in the slips. In the same over, he dismissed Cameron Green for a golden duck, leaving Australia at 12/2. The Indian crowd watching would have loved the drama, as Rabada’s pace reminded fans of their own Jasprit Bumrah tearing through oppositions!
After lunch, Australia tried to fight back through Steve Smith (66) and young Beau Webster (72), who added 79 runs together. But Rabada came back to break the partnership, getting Webster caught behind and then removing Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in quick time to complete his 5-wicket haul. This was Rabada’s 17th fifer in Tests, and he even went past South African legend Allan Donald’s wicket tally!
Support from Jansen and Markram
Rabada wasn’t alone. Marco Jansen bowled beautifully, taking 3 wickets, including Travis Head (9) and Nathan Lyon (0). Aiden Markram, usually known for his batting, chipped in with a big wicket, getting Steve Smith out with a clever spin delivery. Keshav Maharaj also got Alex Carey (23) to spark Australia’s collapse, as they lost their last 5 wickets for just 29 runs.
South Africa’s fielders were sharp, with David Bedingham and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne taking key catches, though they missed a chance to review an LBW call against Webster that could have ended Australia’s innings even earlier.
South Africa’s Batting Struggles
South Africa’s joy was short-lived as their batting faltered against Australia’s bowlers. Mitchell Starc struck early, dismissing Aiden Markram for a duck and Ryan Rickelton (12). Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood joined in, getting Wiaan Mulder (6) and Tristan Stubbs (2), leaving South Africa at 43/4 at stumps. Temba Bavuma (3*) and David Bedingham (8*) will need to bat sensibly on Day 2 to get South Africa back in the game.
Why This Matters for Indian Fans
Indian cricket fans, who know the pain of close WTC Final losses, will be glued to this match. Rabada’s performance was a treat for lovers of fast bowling, much like watching Bumrah or Shami in full flow. South Africa, like India, have been chasing their first WTC title, and this match feels like a golden chance for them to make history. Meanwhile, Australia, who beat India in the 2023 WTC Final, are fighting to stay on top.
What’s Next?
With the Lord’s pitch still helping bowlers, Day 2 promises more action. Can South Africa’s batsmen fight back like Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli would? Or will Australia’s bowlers, led by Starc and Cummins, tighten their grip? This WTC Final is shaping up to be a cracker, and Indian fans will be cheering for a classic Test match!
Key Players:
- Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): 5/51, dismissing Khawaja, Green, Webster, Cummins, and Starc.
- Beau Webster (Australia): 72, top-scoring for Australia.
- Steve Smith (Australia): 66, fighting hard to steady the innings.
- Marco Jansen (South Africa): 3 wickets, backing up Rabada brilliantly.
Day 1 Scores:
- Australia: 211 all out (56.4 overs)
- South Africa: 43/4 (22 overs)
Last Updated on: Thursday, June 12, 2025 12:14 am by Mohammad Hussain Shaik | Published by: Mohammad Hussain Shaik on Thursday, June 12, 2025 12:14 am | News Categories: Sports, News, Trending
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