WTC FINAL, 2025
Rabada struck twice in an over © Getty
South Africa’s pacers were on the money after Temba Bavuma opted to bowl on a cloudy morning, striking regularly to leave Australia in a spot in the first session of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Kagiso Rabada led the attack with aplomb and was supported well by Marco Jansen as Australia went into Lunch on Day 1 at 63/4, with Steve Smith not out on 26.
South Africa’s new-ball pair of Rabada and Jansen kept it disciplined with the line and lengths, bowling three maidens on the trot. Labuschagne got Australia going with three couples off Jansen even as Rabada bowled a hat-trick of maidens to Usman Khawaja and finally got his reward when he had the left-hander edging to first slip to dismiss him for a 20-ball duck.
The Cameron Green experiment at No.3 failed as the batter fell to Rabada, caught brilliantly by Aiden Markram at second slip. Smith and Labuschagne then struck a couple of boundaries, overcoming an excellent spell from Rabada (6-4-9-2) and also saw off Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder as they got through the first hour without further damage.
Smith glanced a loose ball from Ngidi for a boundary off the first ball of the second hour and the bowler also found the edge of his bat but the ball went to the boundary. Smith also struck a drive past point off Ngidi while Mulder troubled Labuschagne on a couple of occasions, without any luck. It was Jansen who got the breakthrough when he returned into the attack 30 minutes into the second hour, going round the wicket and getting Labuschagne to edge to the ‘keeper, ending a 30-run stand.
Travis Head and Smith hit a boundary each off Jansen as they started the recovery work afresh. Smith was saved by the umpire’s call when he walked across too far to an incoming Jansen delivery and was rapped on the pad. Jansen then delivered a big blow before Lunch, getting Head caught down the legside on what was the last ball before the break.
Brief scores: Australia 67/4 (Steven Smith 26*; Kagiso Rabada 2-9, Marco Jansen 2-27) vs South Africa.
© Cricbuzz
