Day one of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s had everything swing, wickets, and tension as 14 wickets tumbled in a gripping day of Test cricket. Australia were bowled out for just 212, with South Africa’s pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada leading the charge with a brilliant five-wicket haul.

Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) steadied Australia after they were reduced to 67/4, stitching together a crucial 79-run stand. But once that partnership was broken, the Aussie lower order collapsed, losing the last five wickets for only 18 runs. Rabada, playing his first match since serving a short ban, was at his fiery best and passed the great Allan Donald to become South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test history.

South Africa, however, couldn’t capitalise with the bat. Under the evening sun, Mitchell Starc bowled a beauty to dismiss Markram for a duck, while Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder followed soon after. Captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood joined the party as South Africa crumbled to 35/4 by stumps.

Earlier in the day, Rabada removed Khawaja with a peach of a delivery before striking again in the same over to send back Green. Labuschagne and Head also fell cheaply, with Jansen and Verreynne combining to remove them. Smith looked composed and in good touch, but a risky shot off part-time spinner Markram cost him his wicket just when he looked set for a century. Webster followed not long after, edging Rabada to the slips.

Though Australia’s batting stumbled, their pace bowlers brought them right back into the contest. With South Africa four down and two new batters at the crease, day two is set up perfectly for another cracking chapter in this Test final.

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Fans reactions after 14 wickets fell on Day 1 of WTC Final between South Africa and Australia

 

- 78.4 Overs.
- 255 Runs.
- 14 Wickets.
- Australia 212/10.
- South Africa - 43/4.
- Five wickets haul by Kagiso Rabada.
- Peach of spells by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
- Solid fifties by Smith & Webster.

WTC Final is peaking on Day 1 already.#AUSvsSA #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/qiNdMYsa4o

— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) June 11, 2025

 

14 wickets fell on the first day, imagine if this was played on th3 subcontinent pitches pic.twitter.com/qp0LdAEFXr

— aftab (@aftabsays_) June 11, 2025

 

South Africa really messed it up well and surely no way they are coming back from here if they do it’s absolutely soul wrenching to watch an absolute cinema !!! #WTC2O25Final #AUSvsSA pic.twitter.com/VXABDWYwNP

— J (@butterchicken96) June 11, 2025

 

WTC Final | Day 1 Stumps

An excellent day of cricket.
Day 1 of the WTC Final between South Africa & Australia did not disappoint!😃🤯

Rabada and Jansen ripped through the Australian batsmen with ball in hand, as the former finished with figures of 5/51. Proteas went in to bat… pic.twitter.com/YsO7IAvgmL

— DP World Lions (@LionsCricketSA) June 11, 2025

 

Disaster Strikes for South Africa! 😱

Day 1 ends with the Proteas reeling at 43/4, still trailing by 169 runs in the WTC Final 2025.

The Australian pacers unleashed relentless aggression, turning the grand finale at Lord’s into a horror show for South Africa.

Sheer dominance… pic.twitter.com/EHa4lw9w1n

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 11, 2025

 

STUMPS - Day 1 🇿🇦🏏🇦🇺

14 wickets on the first day!

Proteas end the day reeling on 43/4 (22 overs) trailing by 169 runs.

Mitchell Starc dismissed openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickleton, solitary strikes by Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins. #Proteas #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/FvUfWtws0m

— Ayanda Nyuswa (@atnyuswa) June 11, 2025

 

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟏: 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐌𝐏𝐒! 🏏

South Africa finishes Day 1 at 43/4, still trailing by 169 runs at Lord’s. 🇿🇦🤍

Mitchell Starc shines with two key wickets for Australia! 🇦🇺🔥#AUSvSA #WTCFinal #MitchellStarc pic.twitter.com/JEDxqZ7Nee

— Root Jaiswal (@JaiswalRoot) June 11, 2025

 

Lovely day of test cricket but just imagine the moaning from english and Australia journalists if 14 wickets fell on Day 1 of a WTC Final in India

— Meet (@raut_meeet) June 11, 2025