New Delhi: Australia responded to Kagiso Rabada’s fifer through their pace trio to leave South Africa reeling at 43/4, 169 runs behind in the first innings at stumps on the opening day of the WTC final on Wednesday.
South Africa had won the toss and decided to bowl on overcast conditions at Lord’s with their premier pacer Rabada’s 5/51 enabling them to dismiss Australia for a modest 212 in 56.4 overs.
But then the Proteas found themselves in trouble as Mitchell Starc (2/10), Josh Hazlewood (1/10) and Pat Cummins (1/14) polished off their top order in 22 overs, leaving them with a lot to do in order to get near Australia’s total.
Aiden Markram (0), Ryan Rickleton (16) Wiaan Mulder (6) and skipper Tristan Stubbs (2) departed cheaply leaving skipper Temba Bavuma (3 not out) and David Bedingham (8 not out) with the difficult task of rebuilding their innings when action resumes in the second day.
Judging by the opening day where ball dominated bat as 14 wickets fell for 255 runs, South Afruca batters have to sow a lot of patience and resilience to score.
From suspension to hero
Rabada was suspended for recreational drugs usage only six weeks ago but received a standing ovation on Wednesday for his penetrative bowling as he overtook Allan Donald on the list of most Test wickets for South Africa.
He now has 332 wickets in 71 matches, two more than Donald, who played in 72 games. “You always felt on this wicket, any ball had their name on it,” Rabada later said.
The right armer induced eges from Usman Khawaja (0) an Cameron Green (4) in the morning session and then dismissed Australia captain Cummins (1), top-scoring Beay Webster (72) Starc (1) to after tea to have his name inscripted on the Lord’s honours board.
“It feels like a home game. I’m just happy I could do a job out there. All of us started really well, I just got the rewards today,” he said.
Rabada and Marco Jansen (3/49) made use of the helpful conditions in which only Steve Smith (66) and Webster appeared comfortable among the Aussie batters.
South Africa were 43/4 in response to Australia’s 212 at stumps on the opening day of the WTC final. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
