Australia Take Early Advantage in WTC Final in the battle of quicks

 



It was a day dominated by the fast bowlers at Lord’s, as the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa began with an intense and gripping first day. A total of 14 wickets fell in just 78.4 overs, making it a bowler’s paradise under overcast skies.

South Africa won the toss and, seeing the cloudy conditions, captain Temba Bavuma had no hesitation in opting to bowl first — a decision that proved right early on. The Proteas seamers, especially Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, made the most of the swinging Duke ball in English conditions, consistently hitting good and full lengths to trouble the Australian batters. Their slip fielding was equally sharp, with South Africa taking some excellent catches.

Rabada made an early impact, removing Usman Khawaja for a duck and Cameron Green for 4 in the 7th over. Both dismissals were aided by superb catches — David Bedingham and Aiden Markram showing excellent reflexes. Markram’s catch at third slip, in particular, stood out for its difficulty, given the ball's trajectory and the presence of another fielder diving close by.

Australia looked to recover through Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, who were slowly rebuilding. But Jansen used his height cleverly, first hitting Labuschagne on the shoulder with a bouncer and then getting him caught behind with a fuller delivery. Labuschagne departed for 17.

The key wicket of Travis Head, who was Australia’s match-winner in the 2023 final against India, was taken just before lunch. After a boundary-filled start, he nicked a leg-side delivery from Jansen trying to flick it, and Kyle Verreynne took a stunning one-handed catch diving to his right. Head made 11.


Australia's innings was held together by Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72). Smith batted beautifully, latching onto any loose bowling and striking some glorious drives & cuts through the off side . He looked set for a 100 but was dismissed. Smith was eventually dismissed by Markram, caught in the slips by Jansen. Webster, who had an early reprieve on 8 when Rabada struck his pad but South Africa didn't review, went on to register his highest Test score. Webster played dazzling shots and looked in great touch as he rescued Australia along with Smith . Alex Carey contributed 23 before being bowled by Keshav Maharaj after tea playing a careless reverse sweep. . From 189/5 at the break, Australia collapsed to 212 all out, losing their last five wickets for just 23 runs.

Rabada finished with 5 for 51, Jansen took 3, and Maharaj and Markram took a wicket each.

In response, Australia’s pace attack struck back with ferocity. Mitchell Starc removed Aiden Markram for a duck in the first over, making it the first time in a Test match in England that both teams’ openers were dismissed for zero. South Africa promoted all-rounder Wiaan Mulder to No. 3 in a surprise move, but he struggled alongside the rest of the top order.

Ryan Rickelton, the other opener, managed 16 before falling to Starc. Mulder and Bavuma tried to hold on, but their ultra-defensive approach caused the run rate to plummet. Bavuma took 31 balls to score his first run, reflecting South Africa’s tentative mindset. Eventually, Mulder was bowled by Pat Cummins for 6, and just before stumps, Tristan Stubbs was dismissed for 2 by Josh Hazlewood.

In the final over, David Bedingham struck two boundaries, pushing South Africa past 40. They ended the day on 43/4, still trailing Australia by 169 runs.

Key Highlights from Day 1:

  • Australia 1st Innings: 212 all out
  • South Africa 1st Innings: 43/4 at stumps
  • Total Wickets on Day 1: 14
  • Rabada: 5/51 | Jansen: 3 wickets
  • Starc: 2 wickets | Cummins & Hazlewood: 1 each

Verdict:

Australia have edged ahead after a dramatic opening day. The pitch and conditions clearly favor the bowlers, and unless the weather intervenes, it seems unlikely the match will stretch to Day 5. The team with the better bowling attack may well decide the fate of this high-stakes final. All eyes now turn to whether South Africa’s middle and lower order can fight back on Day 2.


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