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Rabada Bags Five, But Australian Pacers Hit Back As WTC Final Day 1 Swings Wildly At Lord’s

Jatin

Australia ended Day 1 of WTC final on a high [Source: @LamaTheCule, @SLYDENTAHNMOMBE/s.com]Australia ended Day 1 of WTC final on a high [Source: @LamaTheCule, @SLYDENTAHNMOMBE/s.com]

The first day of the World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s was nothing short of a see-saw battle. If you thought finals were meant to start slow, this one hit fifth gear right out of the gate.

Kagiso Rabada lit up the morning with some brilliant bowling but Steve Smith and Beau Webster had other plans. And just when you thought South Africa had clawed back into the game by removing the Aussie tail quickly, Mitchell Starc and co. sent the Proteas tumbling in the final session.

Here's a complete report of SA vs AUS WTC 2025 final Day1.

South Africa Win The Toss And Rabada Brings The Thunder

The Proteas didn’t waste time after opting to bowl first. Kagiso Rabada turned the Lord’s slope into a nightmare for Australia’s top order. In the blink of an eye, he got rid of Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in the same over. With the scoreboard stuck at 16/2, it felt like a long road ahead for the Aussies.

Enter Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, the familiar duo who put on a bit of resistance. But Marco Jansen, in his second spell, broke through by drawing an edge off Marnus. Then came a beauty down leg that saw Travis Head glove one behind. Credit to Verreynne, who pulled off a stunner to send Head back.

At lunch, Australia were tottering at 67/4 with only Smith holding fort. South Africa were on top and it looked like another collapse was on the cards.

Smith Shines, Webster Survives As Australia Hit Back

The post-lunch session belonged to Australia. Steve Smith was in his element with crisp drives, sharp footwork and a cool head under pressure. He paired up with Beau Webster who had his fair share of nervy moments early on, including an lbw that South Africa shockingly didn’t review.

Smith brought up his fifty in style, while Webster found his rhythm and got to a well-earned half-century. The pair stitched a vital 79-run stand, dragging Australia back from the brink.

But just as Smith looked set for a big one, he took on Aiden Markram, a bold move that didn’t pay off. A sharp edge, a diving Jansen and that was it. Smith gone for 66. Still, his knock brought the Aussies to safer shores. Carey, batting with intent, joined Webster for another 44-run stand, pushing the score to 190/5 at Tea. Momentum? Slightly in Australia’s favour.

Rabada Finishes The Job But Aussie Pacers Roar Back

The final session was carnage but not the kind South Africa wanted. Just as Carey was looking fluent, he missed a reverse sweep off Maharaj and got bowled. From there, it was Rabada’s playground. He ran through the tail like a hot knife through butter, finishing with a stunning 5/51. Australia were bowled out for 212 in 56.4 overs, a decent total given where they were early on, but still under par at Lord’s.

And then came the Aussies with the new ball and they meant business.

Mitchell Starc removed both Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, striking gold with the swing and seam combo. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with one apiece and just like that, South Africa were reeling at 43/4 by stumps.

Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham are still at the crease, but they have got a mountain to climb. The scoreboard reads 43/4, trailing by 169. One more bad session tomorrow morning and the game might slip out of South Africa’s hands faster than expected.

Day 1 at Lord’s was a proper ride. Rabada’s five-for, Smith’s fight and Australia’s late-day onslaught gave fans everything. If this is just the first day, we are in for a cracking WTC Final.