Rabada’s Ripper Rocks Australia, But South Africa Falter in WTC Final Opener

Rabada’s Ripper Rocks Australia, But South Africa Falter in WTC Final Opener

June 11, 2025 | Lord’s, London
By Firdose Moonda & Andrew Miller

Kagiso Rabada delivered a sensational five-wicket haul on Day 1 of the World Test Championship final, slicing through Australia’s top and lower order with intimidating pace and surgical precision. Yet despite his heroics, South Africa's batters struggled under pressure, ending the day in a vulnerable position—169 runs behind with four wickets down.

Rabada, returning from a brief ban for recreational drug use, was fiery and focused from ball one. His opening spell was a masterclass in fast bowling—beating the bat, finding the edge, and rattling Australia with pace, bounce, and movement. His victims included Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Beau Webster, and Mitchell Starc, showcasing a clinical display that earned him a place once again on Lord’s famed honours board.

"It means a lot for me to play for South Africa, I give my all each and every time," Rabada said after claiming his second five-for at Lord’s, equaling Allan Donald’s tally on South Africa’s Test wicket-takers list.

But while Rabada soared, South Africa’s batters stalled.

After a promising start with the ball, South Africa’s innings descended into paralysis. Wiaan Mulder and Temba Bavuma's 40-ball stand for just six runs symbolized the team’s approach—strokeless, hesitant, and in stark contrast to the aggressive ethos of modern Test batting. The packed South African crowd, electric during Rabada's spell, fell silent as wickets tumbled without intent.

Australia’s pace quartet—Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland—capitalized on the cautious approach. Steven Smith, who anchored Australia’s innings with a composed 66, summed up the conditions: “It’s the kind of wicket you’ve got to be solid in defence and, when you get a loose ball, you pounce on it.”

Beau Webster, after a shaky start, weathered Rabada’s second spell and ended with a gritty 72—an innings as vital as it was lucky, given a missed LBW that could have gone against him early on.

By stumps, South Africa were tottering at 90/4, with Bavuma on 3* from 37 balls and Bedingham offering some late resistance. Despite Rabada’s brilliance, the day ended with Australia firmly on top.