'3 din mein match khatam' - Fans react as 14 wickets fell on Day 1 of WTC Final between South Africa and Australia

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