WTC Final 2025: Kagiso Rabada Five-for, Starc Strikes Back in Epic Day 1

AUSTRALIA STRIKE BACK AFTER RABADA FIVE-FOR ON DRAMATIC DAY 1 OF WTC FINAL 2025

LONDON, 11 June 2025 – Cricket’s grandest stage at Lord’s lived up to its billing on Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025, as bowlers ruled in a thrilling ebb-and-flow contest between Australia and South Africa. Kagiso Rabada lit up the morning with a fiery five-wicket haul to put South Africa in control, but Mitchell Starc and Australia’s pace brigade stormed back under the grey skies to reduce the Proteas to 43/4 by stumps, trailing by 169 runs.

Rabada dismantles Aussie batting after Smith-Webster resistance

South Africa couldn’t have hoped for a better start after skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl first in overcast, seam-friendly conditions. The early movement off the pitch at Lord’s was a dream for Kagiso Rabada, who unleashed a hostile spell from the Nursery End. Three maidens to begin with were followed by a stunning double strike — Usman Khawaja edged behind without scoring, and Cameron Green fell to a sharp low catch by Aiden Markram in the slips.

Australia, reeling at 5/2, needed calm heads. Steve Smith, the Lord’s veteran, and Marnus Labuschagne began a period of cautious rebuilding. But Marco Jansen’s height and angles proved decisive, as Labuschagne feathered one to the keeper for 17. Worse was to follow when Travis Head, Australia’s hero of the 2023 WTC Final, fell to the last ball before lunch — a sensational one-handed catch by Kyle Verreynne ended his stay at 11.

At 67/4, Australia were wobbling, but Steve Smith remained their anchor. Joined by Beau Webster, the pair counter-attacked with intelligence and flair. Webster was tested early, surviving two lbw shouts from Jansen — one stayed with the umpire's call, while the other went unreviewed but would’ve hit middle stump. That fortune marked a turning point. Smith drove with elegance and cut with precision, reaching his half-century in 76 balls — a landmark knock that made him the most prolific overseas batter in the history of Lord’s.

But just when it seemed Australia might wrest momentum, an unlikely bowling change worked wonders. Aiden Markram, more known for his batting, tempted Smith into a rash shot. The edge flew to Jansen, who clung onto a juggling catch — Smith departed for a well-crafted 66.

Webster, showing calm maturity, reached his half-century soon after, and with Alex Carey attempted to stretch the total. But what followed was a collapse worthy of Rabada’s legacy.

Rabada etches his name on the Lord’s board again

The second session belonged to South Africa and one man in particular — Kagiso Rabada. The veteran seamer exploited the slope and late movement to deadly effect. Carey’s missed reverse sweep off Keshav Maharaj was the spark. Then came the carnage.

Rabada uprooted Pat Cummins’ off-stump with a peach of a delivery. Webster’s vigil ended at 72, caught at slip flashing at a wide one. Nathan Lyon was undone by a full Jansen delivery, and Rabada sealed his five-wicket haul by cleaning up Mitchell Starc for a duck — adding his name to the Lord’s honours board for the second time in his career. His figures of 5/51 were a masterclass in aggressive fast bowling on a pitch tailor-made for it.

Australia were bundled out for 212 in just 56.4 overs — five wickets had fallen for just 20 runs in the final session.

Australia bounce back in style with the ball

If South Africa thought they had taken control, Mitchell Starc quickly reminded everyone why Australia are reigning Test champions. With just the second ball of the innings, Starc sent Aiden Markram’s off stump cartwheeling — the perfect fast bowler’s dismissal.

Wiaan Mulder got an early reprieve when Alex Carey spilled a chance, but the drop didn’t prove costly. Ryan Rickelton, looking fluent, was caught by Khawaja at slip off Starc, and Cummins soon cleaned up Mulder. When Hazlewood castled debutant Tristan Stubbs, South Africa were 43/4 and looked as shell-shocked as Australia had earlier in the day.

The Proteas, trailing by 169 runs, will now need a special effort on Day 2 to avoid conceding a significant first-innings deficit. With conditions forecast to remain cloudy, the challenge will be steep for South Africa’s middle order to dig in and rescue their innings.

Smith and Starc show class, Rabada steals the spotlight

This was a day where experience and temperament made the difference. Steve Smith’s innings once again proved why he is arguably Australia’s greatest modern Test batter. Despite the chaos around him, he applied himself and played the moving ball as only he can at Lord’s.

On the other end, Mitchell Starc’s twin strikes late in the day turned the match back in Australia’s favour. His ability to deliver impact spells in clutch moments has been a constant through his career. And yet, the undoubted star of the day was Kagiso Rabada. With this five-wicket haul, he not only surpassed Allan Donald’s tally of 330 Test wickets but also reminded the world why he’s considered one of the finest fast bowlers of his generation.

What lies ahead on Day 2

With South Africa reeling and Australia sensing an opportunity to dictate terms, Day 2 is set to be a fascinating battle of attrition. Temba Bavuma, still at the crease, holds the key. He will need support from Kyle Verreynne and the lower order to take the score past 150 and reduce the pressure.

The bowlers have had their say. Now, it's time for batters to weather the storm. At Lord’s, where fortunes change session by session, the final’s balance hangs delicately in the air.