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)

South Africa – 43/4 (22 Overs)