๐ WTC Final | AUS vs SA | Day 1 Highlights: A Fierce Opening Chapter Unfolds at Lord’s
The ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 kicked off in grand style at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, and Day 1 delivered all the drama, intensity, and top-tier cricket fans had been waiting for. With the atmosphere electric and the stakes sky-high, the cricketing world witnessed a gripping battle between bat and ball from the very first over.
๐ฐ Toss & Team News
The coin fell in favor of South Africa, and they elected to bowl first, looking to make early inroads or set a solid foundation depending on their strategy. Both sides fielded strong XIs, packed with experience, skill, and match-winners.
Playing XIs:
Team Australia:
Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne (promoted to opener, Cameron Green, Steve Smith (vice‑captain, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper),Pat Cummins (captain, also bowls), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon
Team South Africa:
Aiden Markram(vc), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
๐ Morning Session: Proteas Pack Punch as Australia Wobble Early
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Australia batted first after losing the toss on a bowler-friendly pitch at Lord’s.
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By Lunch, they were in real trouble at 67/4 in 23 overs
Australia batted first after losing the toss on a bowler-friendly pitch at Lord’s.
By Lunch, they were in real trouble at 67/4 in 23 overs
๐ฅ Wickets to fall:
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Usman Khawaja – bowled by Kagiso Rabada for 0 (duck)
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Marnus Labuschagne – caught behind off Marco Jansen for 17
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Cameron Green – caught (slip) off Rabada for 4 (just 3 balls faced)
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Travis Head – caught behind off Jansen for 11, completing the top-order collapse
Usman Khawaja – bowled by Kagiso Rabada for 0 (duck)
Marnus Labuschagne – caught behind off Marco Jansen for 17
Cameron Green – caught (slip) off Rabada for 4 (just 3 balls faced)
Travis Head – caught behind off Jansen for 11, completing the top-order collapse
๐ฅ At the Lunch Break:
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Australia were 67/4, reeling early, with their entire top order back in the pavilion.
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Steve Smith and Beau Webster remained unbeaten, looking to steady the ship for the second session.
๐ค Afternoon Session: Webster & Smith Forge Recovery Under Pressure
Australia’s middle order found much-needed momentum in the post-lunch session after their shaky start.
Beau Webster and Steve Smith combined for a crucial 95-run partnership, with Webster scoring a patient 72 and Smith an elegant 66—the pair stabilizing the innings amid disciplined bowling from South Africa
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Webster impressed with both defense and selective aggression, earning praise from Ricky Ponting for “putting pressure back on South Africa”
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Smith’s half-century also made history—he became the top overseas run-scorer at Lord’s, surpassing a travel-tested near-century milestone
☁️ Final Session: Australia Fight Back with Pace, SA Ends at 43/4
๐ Australia Bowls with Firepower
After dismissing Australia for 212, South Africa began their reply under fading light. But Australia’s “Fab Four” pace attack counter-struck almost immediately:
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Mitchell Starc struck in the very first over, knocking over Aiden Markram for 0.
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Pat Cummins then removed Ryan Rickelton (South Africa 19/2).
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Josh Hazlewood bowled Wiaan Mulder, reducing South Africa to 25/3.
This fierce spell by Australia ensured South Africa were under immediate pressure entering the session
๐ข Stumps on Day 1:
South Africa – 43/4 in response to Australia’s 212 all out
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Top Scorer (Batting team): Beau Webster (Australia) – 72 runs
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Top Bowler: Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) – 5 wickets for 51 runs
๐ธ Moment of the Day
Mitchell Starc’s peach of a delivery to dismiss Aiden Markram in the very first over of South Africa’s innings stole the show. With the ball swinging under the evening clouds, Starc delivered a full, fast outswinger that clipped the top of off stump — sending Markram back for a duck.
It was the perfect start for Australia with the ball, and a classic Starc special under pressure — setting the tone for a dominant spell that left South Africa reeling at 43/4 by stumps.
๐ฃ️ What to Expect on Day 2
With the pitch already showing signs of variable bounce and swing under overcast skies, Day 2 promises to be just as thrilling.
South Africa, reeling at 43/4, will need a monumental effort from their middle and lower order to stay in the contest. Can the Proteas stage a brave comeback, or will the Aussies dominate with the ball, tightening their grip on the WTC Final?
The first session will be crucial — one strong partnership can shift momentum, but early wickets will hand full control to Australia.
Stay tuned for more updates from the WTC Final — where every session counts, and legends are made.
๐ Follow this space for live coverage, expert analysis, and player reactions from the WTC Final 2025.
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