Kagiso Rabada Rips Through Australia with Historic Feat in WTC Final, Becomes 2nd Cricketer To Achieve It

Kagiso Rabada delivered a spellbinding performance on Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final at Lord's, London, stamping his authority on the grand stage with a five-wicket haul against Australia.

The fiery South African pacer dismantled the Australian batting order with figures of 5 for 51 in 15.4 overs, becoming only the second bowler ever to claim a five-for in a WTC final. His efforts helped South Africa bowl out Australia for 239 in their first innings.

Rabada got his first breakthrough early, dismissing Usman Khawaja for a 20-ball duck with a sharp delivery outside off-stump that was safely pouched by David Bedingham in the slips. He then struck again in the same over, sending Cameron Green back to the pavilion for four after Aiden Markram completed a regulation catch at second slip.

While Rabada didn't take any wickets during the second session, he roared back in the final session of the day. He clean bowled Australian captain Pat Cummins in the 53rd over and followed it up by removing Beau Webster, who had looked threatening with a 72-run knock.

Webster nicked one to the slip cordon after hitting Rabada for a couple of boundaries, with Bedingham again taking a sharp catch. The South African ace wrapped up the innings by rattling Mitchell Starc's stumps, taking his fifth and final wicket of the innings.

This stellar performance not only helped South Africa gain an upper hand in the final but also added another milestone to Rabada's illustrious career. With this five-wicket haul, the 30-year-old speedster from Johannesburg has now surpassed the legendary Allan Donald to become South Africa's fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test history, taking his tally to 331 wickets.

New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson was the first cricketer to register a five-wicket haul in a WTC final, doing so against India in 2021 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. Rabada has now joined that elite list with his exceptional spell.

Among the supporting cast, Marco Jansen chipped in with three wickets, while Aiden Markram and Keshav Maharaj picked up one apiece to wrap up a dominant bowling performance for the Proteas.