Bowler's Paradise: Day 1 of WTC Final 2025 Sees Australia and South Africa Clash
Day One Highlights of the WTC Final 2025
The opening day of the World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord's Cricket Ground in London turned out to be a haven for bowlers. After winning the toss, South African captain Temba Bavuma opted to bowl first.
Australia's innings commenced with Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, but scoring proved challenging, with the first run coming only after 22 deliveries. South African bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen exhibited exceptional control. Rabada made the initial breakthrough in the seventh over, dismissing both Khawaja and Cameron Green, who were caught behind off outside edges. In the following over, Labuschagne fell to Jansen, leaving Australia struggling at 18 for 3.
Steve Smith and Travis Head attempted to stabilize the innings, but Jansen struck again, removing Head just before lunch. Australia went into the break at 67 for 4, with Smith on 26.
Beau Webster joined Smith in the second session. While Webster took his time to get settled, Smith showcased his experience, reaching his 18th Test fifty in England, surpassing legends Allan Border and Viv Richards, who each had 17. Smith also became the leading run-scorer among overseas players at Lord's, amassing 591 runs.
However, Smith's innings concluded at 66 when Jansen executed a remarkable catch off part-time bowler Aiden Markram. At tea, Australia was at 190 for 5, with Webster having scored his second Test fifty.
Post-tea, Australia quickly lost momentum. Alex Carey was dismissed by Keshav Maharaj while attempting a reverse sweep. Rabada returned to claim Pat Cummins and then took his fifth wicket by dismissing Mitchell Starc, tying with Allan Donald at 332 Test wickets. Webster was also out for 72, and Australia collapsed to 212 all out, losing five wickets for just 20 runs in 35 balls. Rabada achieved a five-wicket haul during the final.
Australian Bowlers Shine at Lord's
Australia's bowlers responded effectively. Starc made an immediate impact, bowling Aiden Markram in the first over. He soon followed up by getting Ryan Rickelton to edge to Khawaja at first slip. Cummins contributed by taking the wicket of Wiaan Mulder, leaving South Africa in a precarious position at 25 for 3.
Captain Bavuma had a slow start, scoring off 31 balls. Josh Hazlewood dismissed Tristan Stubbs just before stumps, capping off a dominant day for the bowlers. At stumps, South Africa was at 43 for 4, trailing by 169 runs. A total of 14 wickets fell in 78.4 overs on Day 1 at Lord's.