Lord's, London, June 11, 2025 – Mitchell Starc set Australia's World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 fightback alight with a stunning Aiden Markram dismissal for a six-ball duck at 0.6 overs. Following South Africa dismissing Australia for 212 with Kagiso Rabada's ferocious 5/51, Starc responded with a vicious inswinger in the first over. The good-length delivery, clocked at 145 kmph, pitched around off and swung back sharply, catching Markram off-guard. Guarding tentatively on the back foot, Markram's half-hearted prod found an inside edge that smashed into his stumps, leading to jubilant celebrations from Starc and a beaming Alyssa Healy in the stands.

South Africa's strategy to bowl first yielded dividends as Rabada and Marco Jansen (3/39) dismantled the Australian batting, with Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) providing resistance. A late collapse, however, saw Australia lose their last five wickets for 22 runs. Starc's early wicket ensured Australia fought back momentum, keeping South Africa's top order on their toes. Markram, released for his seventh Test duck, was dismissed by Starc's pace and swing, which reminded them of their 2018 Newlands encounter, laying a scorching foundation for the Proteas' innings.

The Lord's pitch, providing seam movement, suited pacers, and Starc's wicket maiden over in the first over highlighted the willingness of Australia to benefit from the same. South Africa, in pursuit of their first ICC title since 1998, had it tough with Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder assigned the responsibility of steadying the innings against a strong Australian attack spearheaded by Starc and Pat Cummins.

Australia's Bowling Onslaught

Post-Markram’s dismissal, Starc struck again, removing Rickelton for 16, caught by Usman Khawaja at slip off an away-swinger, leaving South Africa at 19/2. Temba Bavuma survived a close lbw shout, with replays showing an umpire’s call, as Starc’s inswingers kept the Proteas on edge.

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FIRST OVER MITCHELL STARC FOR AUSTRALIA....!!! 👑 pic.twitter.com/39TePxRhhd

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 11, 2025

Also Read: WATCH: Marco Jansen's amazing reflex catch sees end of Steve Smith's innings in SA vs AUS WTC Final 2025

Cummins and Josh Hazlewood shared tight lines, and a rare blemish was the dropped catch by Alex Carey off Mulder. South Africa is 193 runs behind, with 20 overs remaining on Day 1.

Current Score: South Africa 19/2 (11 overs)—Wiaan Mulder 1*, Temba Bavuma 0*; Mitchell Starc 2/9.