New Delhi: South Africa pacers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen ran riot to help the Proteas skittle out Australia for a paltry 211 runs in their first innings of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Rabada bagged a five-wicket haul, while Jansen picked up three wickets as South Africa bowlers dominated the proceedings on Day 1 of the final.
Rabada bowled an exceptional spell with the new ball to get his team off to a flyer after South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first in the high-octane final. The right-arm pacer struck twice in the same over to jolt Australia early in their innings and continued his rhythm throughout the day to complete a fifer, his 17th in Test cricket.
After a steady start from Australia, Rabada struck in the 7th over to dismiss opener Usman Khawaja on a 20-ball duck before removing returning Cameron Green cheaply on just 3 off 4 balls in the same over. Jansen joined the party by breaking the budding third-wicket stand between Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in the 18th over. The left-arm pacer got Labuschagne trapped behind the stumps with a good length delivery in the channel.
A superb diving catch from wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne saw Travis Head depart cheaply on just 11 off 13 balls before Steve Smith joined hands with Beau Webster to help Australia fight back. The duo slammed half-centuries apiece and added a valuable stand of 79 runs for the fifth wicket, which helped Australia get back on track.
Smith once again stood up under pressure and played a calculated knock of 66 runs, while Webster ended up notching up a brilliant 72 as the duo played a key role in helping Australia cross the 200-run mark after a sluggish start. Alex Carey made a vital contribution of 23 runs, but couldn’t convert his start into a big score.
Kagiso Rabada steals show on Day 1 of WTC final
While Smith played a great knock of 66 runs, displaying no nerves under pressure while batting in his trademark style, the day belonged to South Africa pacer Rabada. The Proteas pacer, who is the leading wicket-taker for his team in the ongoing 2023-25 WTC cycle, proved why he is among the best fast bowlers in the world at present.
Rabada used the new ball well and consistently hit the right lengths to trouble the Aussie top order and was disciplined with his line throughout the day. He opened his account with twin dismissals of Khawaja and Green in the same over, before getting rid of half-centurion Webster on 72 in the 55th over to provide a crucial breakthrough for South Africa.
Rabada went on to complete his fifer with the wickets of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in quick succession. The South African pacer now has 52 wickets in 11 matches in the current WTC cycle and has set the stage for what can be a historic win for South Africa if their batters can deliver in the high-pressure final at Lord’s.
South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada bagged a five-wicket haul on Day 1 to help his team bundle out Australia for 211 runs in their first innings of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final at Lord’s. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
