WTC Final 2025: Day 1 of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s lived up to its billing, offering drama, swing, and plenty of wickets. South Africa, having won the toss and elected to bowl first, made an immediate impact as Kagiso Rabada tore through the Australian batting line-up, registering his 17th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. The Proteas bowled out Australia for 212 in the first innings, a score that looked respectable only due to a gritty 72 from Beau Webster, who helped rescue the innings after a top-order collapse.
Rabada’s double blow—dismissing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a single over—left Australia reeling. Marco Jansen also played a key role, accounting for Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head, the latter falling just before Lunch. Aiden Markram chipped in with the wicket of Steve Smith (66), who had earlier looked set to anchor the innings. Keshav Maharaj removed Alex Carey post-Tea, and Pat Cummins fell soon after, handing Rabada his fifth.
Australia’s Recovery Led by Webster
Amid the chaos, debutant Beau Webster stood tall. Coming in at a precarious 103/4, Webster absorbed pressure and stitched a much-needed partnership with Carey to carry Australia past 190 by Tea. His composed 72 was vital in pushing Australia past the 200-mark, giving their bowlers something to work with.
South Africa’s batting collapse
In reply, South Africa had a disastrous start. Mitchell Starc struck in his very first over, sending Aiden Markram back for a duck. Starc continued to impress, picking up two wickets and putting South Africa on the defensive. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood joined the carnage as the Proteas slumped to 30/4 in 20.2 overs.
At stumps, South Africa had crawled to 43/4 in 22 overs, trailing Australia by 169 runs. Temba Bavuma (3*) and David Bedingham (8*) were the unbeaten batters, with the pitch offering plenty to the bowlers and scoreboard pressure already mounting.
Day of the bowlers
In total, 14 wickets fell on Day 1, marking it as a nightmare for batters and a dream for fast bowlers. All three Australian pace spearheads—Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood—bowled with venom and accuracy under overcast skies, exploiting the conditions to perfection.
What to expect on Day 2?
Day 2 is poised to be critical for South Africa. With only six wickets remaining and a large deficit to erase, the onus will be on their lower order to stage a fightback. For Australia, early strikes in the morning could firmly put them in the driver’s seat.
Score Summary:
Australia 212 (Webster 72, Smith 66; Rabada 5/50, Jansen 2/27)
South Africa 43/4 (Starc 2/10, Cummins 1/12)
South Africa trail by 169 runs at Stumps on Day 1.