Rabada’s Five‑for Sets the Tone on Day 1 of WTC Final

South Africa chose to bowl first at Lord’s on Day 1 of the World Test Championship Final, and their gamble paid off spectacularly. In seaming, overcast conditions, pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada produced a fiery spell of 5 for 51 in 15.4 overs, dismantling Australia's top order—including Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, and Travis Head—and surpassing Allan Donald's tally to become South Africa’s fourth‑highest Test wicket‑taker with 332 scalps.

Despite a valiant 72 from Beau Webster and a composed 66 by Steve Smith, Australia was bundled out for just 212. However, the contest remained balanced by stumps, as South Africa’s batters faltered and were reduced to 43/4, trailing by 169 runs thanks to tremors from the Australian pace trio—Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins—who delivered late blows before stumps.

The day was filled with twists: Rabada’s milestone five‑wicket haul (only the second in a WTC Final after Kyle Jamieson’s in 2021), Khawaja’s unfortunate 20‑ball duck—matching a 137‑year‑old record, and the unique occurrence of both teams’ No. 1 batters dismissed for zero in the first innings. Australia’s fightback late in the day kept the match finely poised.

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