WTC Final Day 1 Updates: Pace Storm at Lord’s – Australia Rocked Early
South Africa’s Seamers Leave Australia on the Brink
The first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s saw a crushing demonstration by South Africa’s pace unit, with Australia reeling at 67 for 4 at lunch. Let’s take a look at the details of WTC Final Day 1 Updates 2025.
Having won the toss and opting to bowl in cloudy conditions, South African skipper Temba Bavuma’s choice was acutely on the mark as his bowlers wonderfully made use of favorable conditions.
Australia’s innings started on a shaky note. Opener Usman Khawaja was the first to go, going for a duck as Kagiso Rabada got one to seam away and take the edge, with David Bedingham finishing a sharp catch.
Cameron Green, unexpectedly upgraded to No. 3, didn’t survive either. He poked another Rabada ball to Aiden Markram in the slips after making only 4 runs. Australia were in serious trouble at 16 for 2 in a little more than seven overs.
Marnus Labuschagne then attempted to hold things together with Steven Smith, but his resistance was over on 17 when he was caught behind by Marco Jansen, who managed just enough late movement to encourage a mistake. When Labuschagne was out at 46 for 3, South Africa’s hold on the session pulled further.
Just before lunch, there was an attempted counterattack by Travis Head, getting away a rapid 11 of 13 balls, but his aggressive style cost him as he nicked a Jansen ball to the keeper Kyle Verreynne, providing the Proteas with their fourth success. Head’s dismissal left Australia reeling at 67 for 4, the innings precariously close to a collapse.
Steven Smith is unbeaten on 26 from 51 deliveries at the break, demonstrating grit and composure in the middle of all the devastation, while Beau Webster has not faced a ball.
WTC Final Day 1 Updates 2025: Smith Holds the Key After Proteas Pacers Leave Australia Reeling
For South Africa, Rabada took 2 for 9 runs and Jansen 2 for 27 runs, who were the pick of the bowlers, well supported by Ngidi and Mulder.
The Proteas dominated the first session, leaving Australia under extreme pressure. Coming into the second session, the Australians will once again turn to Smith for a turnaround, while South Africa will want to capitalize and push on for additional breaches.
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