Kagiso Rabada Shines with Five-Wicket Haul at Lord's in WTC Final

In a thrilling display at Lord's, Kagiso Rabada's five-wicket haul during the ICC World Test Championship final has garnered admiration from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Rabada's performance not only secured him a spot on the Lord's Honours Board but also marked a significant achievement as he surpassed Allan Donald's record for South African Test wickets. Despite Australia's struggles on the first day, Ponting offered insights on how they can capitalize on better batting conditions in their second innings. This match promises to be a gripping contest as both teams navigate early challenges.
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Kagiso Rabada Shines with Five-Wicket Haul at Lord's in WTC Final

Rabada's Remarkable Performance

London [UK], June 12: Ricky Ponting, the former captain of Australia, praised South African bowler Kagiso Rabada for his outstanding five-wicket haul on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord's.


With this performance, Rabada etched his name on the prestigious Lord's Honours Board and surpassed the legendary Allan Donald's record for Test wickets by a South African.


Ponting expressed admiration for Rabada's display, recalling that he had delivered a similar performance during South Africa's Test match against England at the same venue in 2022.


He drew parallels between Rabada's achievements and those of his former teammate Glenn McGrath, who also excelled at Lord's throughout his career.


“Glenn McGrath had a similar affinity for Lord's,” Ponting remarked, as reported by ICC.


“McGrath enjoyed bowling at Lord's, utilizing the slope effectively from both ends, a skill that deserves more recognition.”


Ponting emphasized the significance of star players stepping up in crucial matches, stating, “These major games hinge on the performances of your key players.”


In his three appearances at Lord's, Rabada has claimed 18 wickets at an impressive average of 16.83, including two five-wicket hauls, the highest for a South African bowler.


In contrast, McGrath took 26 wickets in three matches at an average of 11.50, with his best figures being 8/38.


Ponting also addressed Rabada's recent off-field challenges, saying, “Having faced some personal issues in recent months, I believe he is eager to prove himself on the international stage and lead his team effectively. That’s the hallmark of a true leader.”


While acknowledging that Australia's batting lineup would be disappointed with their performance on the first day, Ponting offered them advice for the remainder of the match.


“The key for the Australian batsmen is that they will likely encounter the best batting conditions in their second innings, so they must capitalize on that opportunity,” he added.


As for the match details, after being put to bat first by South Africa, Australia found themselves struggling at 67/4 by the end of the first session. A partnership of 79 runs between Steve Smith (66 off 112 balls, including 10 fours) and Beau Webster (72 off 92 balls, with 11 fours) helped Australia approach the 200-run mark. However, Rabada (5/51) and Marco Jansen (3/49) maintained the pressure, restricting Australia to 212 runs.


South Africa faced a challenging start as well, losing four wickets for just 43 runs by the end of the day's play, with none of their batsmen scoring over 20 runs. Mitchell Starc took two wickets, while captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood each claimed one wicket. South Africa trails by 169 runs.


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