WTC Final 2023

WTC Final: History made after 145 years at Lord’s as Australia and South Africa share rare record | Cricket News

Danijones3 days ago03 mins

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The opening day of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s delivered high drama, exceptional bowling, and a historic statistical anomaly. Kagiso Rabada stole the show with a brilliant five-wicket haul, helping South Africa bowl out Australia for just 212. Marco Jansen provided strong support with three wickets. But Australia fought back hard in the final session. Mitchell Starc led their charge with two wickets, while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with one each to leave South Africa struggling at 43 for 4 at stumps. Day 1 also produced a bizarre moment never seen in 145 years of Test cricket in England. For the first time in 561 Tests on English soil, both teams’ No. 1 batters were dismissed for zero in the first innings. Australia’s Usman Khawaja and South Africa’s Aiden Markram were the unfortunate pair. ‘Nitish Kumar is a guy who can bowl that magic ball’: India bowling coach Morne Morkel Rabada’s spell of 5 for 51 in 15.4 overs not only swung momentum in South Africa’s favour but also elevated his place in the history books. The 30-year-old overtook Allan Donald’s tally of 330 Test wickets, reaching 332 in 71 matches, becoming South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in the format.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Rabada became just the second bowler after Kyle Jamieson (2021 final vs India) to take a five-for in a WTC Final. He’s also the only South African after Jacques Kallis (1998 ICC Knockout Trophy final) to do so in an ICC tournament final. With 11 wickets in five ICC knockout matches at an average of 19.27, Rabada now sits third among South African wicket-takers in such games, tied with Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald, and behind Jacques Kallis (14).

Tristan Stubbs: South Africa’s Potential X-factor in WTC Final, Says Mathew Hayden | Cricket News

Danijones5 days ago03 mins

Tristan Stubbs of South Africa Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images) Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has identified South African cricketer Tristan Stubbs as a potential game-changer in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s from June 11-15, comparing his playing style to former England batsman Kevin Pietersen.Stubbs recently played at number five position for South Africa in their warm-up game against Zimbabwe at Arundel and could retain the same spot for the WTC final. He has accumulated 500 runs in nine Test matches at an average of 33.33, including two centuries and a fifty.“Someone like Tristan Stubbs, I think, can be a bit of an X-factor. Similar to the way that Kevin Peterson was in the England side against Australia, who can come out, start to dominate,” Hayden told Star Sports. Virat Kohli’s love for ‘dhaba’ food, priority for family & more | RCB bus driver shares stories South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, qualified for their first-ever WTC final after topping the 2023-25 standings with a 69.44-point percentage. Stubbs is also being considered for the number three position, competing with Tony de Zorzi for the spot.In the Indian Premier League 2025, Stubbs represented Delhi Capitals and scored 300 runs in 14 matches, maintaining an average of 50 and a strike rate of 150.75, though he didn’t score any fifties.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?“We’ve seen his hitting ability through the IPLs. Not that that has a great deal of relevance, but he’s a very powerful unit. A very conventional hitter of the ball. Tall, big body position, and great hands that he can hit down the ground with. So he can be a threat,” Hayden added.The South African team has shown confidence in Stubbs’ abilities as they prepare for their maiden WTC final appearance against Australia at the historic Lord’s cricket ground.