Wickets galore on Day 1 of WTC final between South Africa, Australia

Add as a preferred source on Google

WTC Final: Australia recovered from a tough start to leave South Africa on the back foot at the close of Day 1 in the World Test Championship Final at Lord's. On a day where bowlers dominated proceedings, 14 wickets fell for just 255 runs on a sluggish pitch, with Australia finishing as the happier side.

South Africa's pace duo of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen delivered a clinical display in the morning session. Rabada finished with an impressive 5/51, while Jansen supported with 3/49, helping bowl out Australia for 212 - their last five wickets falling for just 20 runs. Despite the early success for South Africa, Australia's bowlers hit back even harder.

Under bright sunshine, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and skipper Pat Cummins brought the heat, reducing South Africa to 43/4 in 22 overs by stumps. With runs hard to come by, Beau Webster's 72 and Steve Smith's 66 stood out as the day's only significant contributions with the bat.

"Starcy had the ball on a string," Webster told the BBC. "It's tricky for a batsman. Our bowling attack's been so strong. We know if we don't quite get it down with the bat, our bowlers will get it down. Outstanding effort from the boys."

Australia's total initially appeared underwhelming, but the bowlers turned the tide. Starc drew first blood, dismissing Aiden Markram for a duck in his opening over and then removed Ryan Rickelton for 16. Cummins struck next, bowling Wiaan Mulder through the gate after a sluggish 6 off 44 balls. The same over almost saw the end of Temba Bavuma, who survived a close chance. Hazlewood added to the pressure by knocking over Tristan Stubbs for 2, leaving the Proteas reeling. David Bedingham ended the day with back-to-back boundaries - South Africa's first since early in the innings.

Having opted to bowl first after winning the toss, Bavuma's decision seemed justified early. Overcast skies and helpful conditions allowed Rabada and Jansen to exploit the slope at Lord's expertly. Rabada used the uphill angle, while Jansen bowled down it, both creating plenty of trouble. Rabada sent back Khawaja and Green in the same over - Green falling at No. 3 in his first Test innings at that position, with Markram grabbing a sharp low catch at slip. Labuschagne scratched around for 17 from 56 balls before edging Jansen behind, leaving Australia 46/3.

Travis Head joined Smith just before lunch but couldn't replicate their epic 285-run stand from the 2023 WTC Final. He nicked a delivery from Jansen down leg, well caught by a diving Kyle Verreynne, and Australia went to lunch at 67/4.

With the sun out after lunch, batting conditions improved. Smith cashed in, reaching fifty with his ninth four, bringing up Australia's 100 in the process. Webster, meanwhile, began cautiously but upped the tempo once Rabada and Jansen went off. He and Smith added 79, steadying the innings.

However, South Africa's poor review calls and Bavuma's decisions didn't help. They failed to review a clear LBW, wrongly reviewed another that struck bat, and wasted a second chance. When Mulder needed a break, Bavuma brought on part-time spinner Aiden Markram, and it cost them dearly. Markram got the wicket of Smith, who edged to the towering Jansen after reaching 66 - surpassing his already excellent average at Lord's.

Webster, playing just his second Test, reached a gritty fifty and added valuable runs with Alex Carey, taking Australia to 190-5 at tea. But the lower order couldn't hold on. Carey fell to Maharaj, and the rest of the tail crumbled in under half an hour. Rabada cleaned up the end of the innings, earning a standing ovation for his second five-wicket haul at Lord's.

"He was unbelievable," Jansen said of Rabada. "I could see in the game blood in his eyes."

Despite Rabada's heroics, it was the Australian camp celebrating as the sun set on Day 1 - their total suddenly looking like a strong one, thanks to a fiery bowling response.