The World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa got off to a thrilling start at Lord’s, with pace dominating proceedings on a dramatic opening day that saw 14 wickets tumble and momentum shift hands more than once.
Opting to bowl first in overcast conditions, South Africa made early inroads through a fired-up Kagiso Rabada, who ripped through Australia’s top order to finish with an impressive 5-51. Supported by Marco Jansen (3-49), Rabada’s spell helped bowl out Australia for 212 in just 56.4 overs, handing the Proteas the early advantage.
But just as South Africa looked to press home their gains, Australia’s bowlers stormed back in the final session. Mitchell Starc (2-10), Josh Hazlewood (1-10), and Pat Cummins (1-14) dismantled the Proteas’ top order to leave them reeling at 43/4 by stumps—still trailing by 169 runs.
South Africa’s fightback had been scripted early by Rabada, who dismissed Usman Khawaja (0) and Cameron Green (4) within four deliveries. Jansen then chipped in to reduce Australia to 67/4 at lunch. However, a gritty 79-run partnership between Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) rescued the innings and briefly turned the tide.
Smith, calm and clinical, reached his half-century off 76 deliveries, becoming the highest-scoring overseas batter at Lord’s with 591 runs in 10 innings—surpassing Warren Bardsley’s 573. Webster, though far less assured, benefitted from some luck early in his innings but held firm to notch his second Test fifty off 69 balls.
The post-tea session saw another twist, as South Africa roared back. Rabada dismissed Webster to trigger a late collapse—five wickets fell for just 22 runs as Australia were bundled out.
It was tough out there with Rabada and Jansen coming in hot. I had a bit of luck and had to make some small tweaks with the slope at Lord’s, but thankfully, we managed to get a score on the board.
Australia’s bowlers made that score count. South Africa’s top order faltered under the lights, with Aiden Markram (0), Ryan Rickelton (16), Wiaan Mulder (6), and Tristan Stubbs (3) all falling cheaply.
We saw in that last session how much the ball was moving. Starcy had it on a string. It’s a tricky pitch, and our bowlers did an outstanding job.
South Africa’s hopes now rest on skipper Temba Bavuma (3* off 37 balls) and David Bedingham (8*), who must rebuild if the Proteas are to claw their way back into this gripping final.
Brief Scores: Australia 212 in 56.4 overs (Beau Webster 72, Steve Smith 66; Kagiso Rabada 5-51, Marco Jansen 3-49) South Africa 43/4 in 22 overs (Ryan Rickelton 16; Mitchell Starc 2-10, Josh Hazlewood 1-10) South Africa trail by 169 runs.
