Day 1 of the World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia was full of action, with wickets falling left and right. Both teams struggled to score as bowlers dominated the day, making it tough for batters to settle in. Australia was bowled out for 212, but their fast bowlers hit back hard, leaving South Africa in deep trouble by the end of the day. It was a dramatic start to the final, with bowlers from both sides stealing the spotlight.

LONDON, June 12 – Australia had a rough start but came back strong to take control by the end of Day 1 in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s. It was a tough day for batters, with 14 wickets falling and only 255 runs scored on a slow pitch.

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada was on fire, taking 5 wickets for 51 runs, and Marco Jansen backed him up with 3 for 49. Together, they tore through Australia’s lineup, bowling them out for just 212 — with the last five wickets falling for only 20 runs.

But when it was Australia’s turn to bowl, their pace attack was even more impressive. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and captain Pat Cummins put South Africa under huge pressure, reducing them to 43 for 4 by the end of the day.

The low scoring made Beau Webster’s 72 and Steve Smith’s 66 all the more valuable — they were the only players to score more than 23 all day.

"Starcy had the ball on a string," said Webster to the BBC. "It’s tough for batters out there, but we know our bowlers can always pull us back in."

Australia’s total of 212 seemed below par at first, but their bowlers made it look huge. Starc struck in the very first over, getting Aiden Markram out for a duck, and then removed Ryan Rickelton soon after. Wiaan Mulder survived a dropped catch but didn’t last long, bowled by Cummins for 6. Captain Temba Bavuma barely held on, ending the day on just 3 runs from 37 balls. Tristan Stubbs also fell cheaply to Hazlewood.

South Africa only managed five boundaries the entire innings, with David Bedingham hitting the last two before stumps.

Australia is defending the WTC title they won in 2023, while South Africa is still searching for their first ICC trophy this century.

South Africa’s decision to bowl first seemed smart. Bavuma wasted no time in giving the ball to his strike bowlers Rabada and Jansen, who made the most of overcast conditions. Lord’s was so gloomy that the floodlights were on before play even started.

Despite not having much experience at Lord’s, the South African bowlers had clearly done their homework. Rabada bowled up the slope looking for edges, and Jansen came in from the other end, trying to swing the ball in. They picked up four wickets in the morning session alone.

Rabada dismissed Khawaja for a duck — the sixth time in 11 matches — and then got Cameron Green caught in the same over. Green was batting at number 3 for the first time in Tests. Labuschagne, opening in a Test for the first time as well, struggled to find rhythm and eventually edged Jansen behind for 17.

Smith and Travis Head, who were heroes in last year’s final, couldn’t recreate that magic. Head fell just before lunch to a brilliant one-handed catch by the keeper off Jansen. Australia went to lunch at 67-4, with the sun finally starting to come out — a good sign for batters at Lord’s.

Smith took advantage, reaching his half-century and pushing Australia past 100. Webster started shaky but settled once the main bowlers were off, and the two put on a solid partnership of 79.

However, South Africa didn’t help themselves. Bavuma made some questionable calls with reviews and field changes. When Mulder needed a break, he brought on part-time spinner Markram, who managed to get Smith out with a lucky edge.

Australia was 190-5 at tea, but things fell apart quickly after. Carey got out, and the tail was wiped out in just 26 minutes by Rabada and Jansen.

Rabada, who was suspended just six weeks ago, was unstoppable. “He was unbelievable,” said Jansen. “You could see he had fire in his eyes.”

Rabada earned a standing ovation for his second five-wicket haul at Lord’s, but by stumps, it was the Australian fans who were cheering louder.

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