Test cricket reminded us once again why one should never judge a pitch before both teams have batted on it. After Australia were bundled out for just 212 on Day 1 of the World Test Championship 2025 final, questions were raised over their batting performance. Kagiso Rabada starred for South Africa with a fiery five-wicket haul. However, Australia struck back in style, giving South Africa a taste of their own medicine with a spirited bowling display on Wednesday, 11 June.
On a lively Lord’s surface that offered something throughout the day — from an overcast morning to a bright evening — fast bowlers dominated proceedings as 14 wickets fell on the opening day of the high-stakes final. | WTC final SA vs AUS Day 1 Highlights |
South Africa were left reeling at 43 for 4 at Stumps after Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood tore through their top order. Temba Bavuma (3*) and David Bedingham (8*) were at the crease, trying to steady the innings after a relentless assault from Australia’s pace trio.
South Africa trailed Australia by 169 runs, and it might take a couple of heroic efforts from the Proteas batters to get close to the total, let alone take a lead.
The conditions were not suited for free-flowing stroke play, and Ryan Rickelton’s dismissal was a clear example. Early in his innings, Rickelton confidently drove Starc down the ground when the Dukes ball was still new.
However, as the lacquer wore off, the ball began to swing more. In the ninth over, Rickelton attempted a similar drive to the one that had earlier fetched him a boundary. This time, though, the older ball swung away, took the outside edge, and flew to the slip cordon.
Unlike the Kookaburra or SG balls, the Dukes ball tends to swing more as it ages, making it one of the most challenging for batters to handle.
TIMID BATTING EFFORT FROM THE PROTEAS?
It was arguably a timid effort with the bat from South Africa who batted 22 overs for 43 runs. In fact, the day ended with Beddingham, who walked in at No. 6, hitting two boundaries to lift an otherwise snail-paced scoreboard.
South Africa appeared to shut shop as early as the ninth over after losing Rickelton and Aiden Markram early.
Yes, South Africa were facing a world-class and all-conquering bowling attack, but none of the top-order batters, especially captain Bavuma and No. 3 Wiaan Mulder, showed the urgency in the middle. Even singles didn’t come by as South Africa kept finding the fielders, visibly rattled after a terrific opening burst from Mitchell Starc.
“You’d think that batting conditions would improve as the overhead conditions cleared, but that certainly wasn’t the case. And I suppose the only reason I’d say maybe Australia edged it—maybe an 80% call—is because of the lack of intent from the South African batting unit,” former Australia opener Matthew Hayden told JioHostar after the day’s play.
“That really started with Temba Bavuma.
“When you think about his performance as captain, it’s not just about field placements or bowling changes—it’s also about leading from the front as a batting captain, showing vigour and intent. Of course, you’re up against three world-class fast bowlers in conditions that suit them, but what Australia would have relished is the deflated tone in that South African innings,” he said.
Bavuma (3 off 37) and Mulder (6 off 44) added six runs for their third-wicket partnership that lasted 40 balls before Cummins removed the latter and piled up the pressure on the Proteas.
Josh Hazlewood joined the pary late, getting the big wicket of Tristan Stubbs to swung the momentum in favour of Australia at the end of the day’s play.
It was certainly not a day for batters at Lord’s, as two high-quality bowling attacks traded punches and turned the opening day into a gripping contest.
AUSTRALIA COLLAPSE AFTER SMITH, WEBSTER FIFTIES
Australia were jolted early by Kagiso Rabada after they were sent into bat on Day 1.
