SA vs AUS WTC Final 2025 Day 1 Recap – Key performances and major highlights
South Africa’s bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada’s 5/51, dominated Australia at 212/10, but their batting stumbled to 43/4, trailing by 169 runs on Day 1 of the WTC Final 2025 at Lord’s.
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Lord's, London, June 11, 2025 – South Africa opted to bowl first in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at Lord's and created early marks, but Australia responded to level the game and manage 212/10. South Africa, in turn, battled against Australia's pace attack and closed Day 1 at 43/4, 169 runs behind. The day featured powerful bowling performances and crucial wickets, and it looks like the match will be a thrilling one.
Australia Innings
Australia was restricted to 212/10 in 56.4 overs following a difficult day against South Africa's pace-oriented attack. Beau Webster top-scored with a gritty 72 off 92 balls, holding the innings together, and Steve Smith made a gritty 66 off 112. Their 79-run fifth-wicket partnership was the standout, but South Africa's bowling unit hit back, led by Kagiso Rabada, who took 5/51 in 15.4 overs, with the early wickets of Usman Khawaja (0) and Cameron Green (4). Marco Jansen backed up with 3/49, picking up Smith through a fabulous reflex catch off Aiden Markram's bowling (1/5). South Africa's tight bowling in the absence of a late charge by Alex Carey (23 off 31) meant that Australia's innings was brought to a quick end, with the final five wickets coming down for 22 runs.
South Africa Innings
South Africa reached 43/4 in 22 overs, falling behind by 169 runs at stumps. The innings began on a poor note as Aiden Markram was dismissed by Mitchell Starc off the first over for a six-ball zero, and then Ryan Rickelton for 16 off 23, caught behind slips. Wiaan Mulder was dismissed for 6 off 44 off Pat Cummins, and Tristan Stubbs for 2 off 13 before being struck by Josh Hazlewood. David Bedingham (8* off 9) and Temba Bavuma (3* off 37) played anchor, but Australia's bowlers, headed by Starc (2/10) and ably aided by Hazlewood (1/10) and Cummins (1/14), maintained the pressure. South Africa's top order struggled in front of the swinging ball, and they have a difficult task on Day 2.
Also Read: WATCH: Mitchell Starc's ripper gets Aiden Markram for duck in SA vs AUS WTC Final
SA vs AUS, WTC Final 2025 – Day 1 Match Scorecard
Australia – 212/10 (56.4 Overs)
| Batting | Runs (Balls) | Bowling | Wickets/Runs (Overs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | 66 (112) | Kagiso Rabada | 5/51 (15.4) |
| Beau Webster | 72 (92) | Marco Jansen | 3/49 (14) |
| Alex Carey | 23 (31) | Keshav Maharaj | 1/19 (6) |
| Marnus Labuschagne | 17 (56) | Aiden Markram | 1/5 (2) |
South Africa – 43/4 (22 Overs)
| Batting | Runs (Balls) | Bowling | Wickets/Runs (Overs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Bedingham | 8* (9) | Mitchell Starc | 2/10 (7) |
| Ryan Rickelton | 16 (23) | Josh Hazlewood | 1/10 (7) |
| Temba Bavuma | 3* (37) | Pat Cummins | 1/14 (7) |
| Tristan Stubbs | 2 (13) | Nathan Lyon | 0/9 (1) |
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