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🏏 A High-Stakes Clash Begins at the Home of Cricket
The much-anticipated ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 scoreboard between South Africa and Australia kicked off at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on June 11, 2025. The day saw a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, skillful bowling, and a batting collapse that defined the first session. Cricket fans around the world witnessed an exhilarating Day 1, where 14 wickets fell in just two sessions.
🟡 Australia 1st Innings: All Out for 212
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Australia started cautiously but never really found rhythm against South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack. The Proteas, led by an inspired Kagiso Rabada, never let Australia settle.
🧨 Key Australian Performers:
- Steve Smith – 66 runs
Smith once again proved his class at Lord’s, becoming the highest overseas run-scorer at the venue. His technique and patience were on full display as he tried to steady a shaky Australian top order. - Beau Webster – 72 runs
The unexpected star with the bat, Webster’s gritty half-century added some respectability to Australia’s total.
💥 Fall of Wickets:
Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals, unable to form long-lasting partnerships. From 97/2, they were bundled out for 212, thanks to relentless pace bowling.
🌪️ South African Bowling Attack: Rabada Leads the Charge
🧤 Kagiso Rabada – 5/51
Rabada was in vintage form, dismantling Australia’s batting line-up with sheer pace, bounce, and accuracy. He claimed a five-wicket haul, entering the Lord’s Honours Board, and became South Africa’s fourth-highest Test wicket-taker with 332 wickets.
🌊 Marco Jansen – 3/49
Jansen complemented Rabada perfectly, using his height and angles to extract bounce and movement. His key dismissals of Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey ensured Australia never gained control.
🌍 South Africa’s Shaky Reply: 43/4 at Stumps
South Africa’s innings began under lights, with cloud cover aiding the Australian pace trio. What followed was a devastating spell of fast bowling by the Aussies, especially Starc and Cummins.
⚡ Key Fall of Wickets:
- Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, and Kyle Verreynne fell cheaply.
- At 43/4 in 22 overs, South Africa ended Day 1 trailing by 169 runs with Bavuma (3)* and Bedingham (8)* at the crease.
🔥 Australian Fast Bowlers Hit Back Hard
- Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood showed why they are among the best in the business, moving the ball both ways and forcing errors.
- Pat Cummins, the captain, bowled a fiery spell and led from the front, applying consistent pressure.
Their disciplined bowling effort ensured South Africa never got comfortable in the final session.
📊 Day 1 Score Summary of ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 scoreboard
🟡 Australia 1st Innings – 212 All Out
- Steve Smith – 66
- Beau Webster – 72
- Kagiso Rabada – 5/51
- Marco Jansen – 3/49
- South Africa 1st Innings – 43/4 (22 Overs)
- Temba Bavuma – 3*
- David Bedingham – 8*
- Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood – 1 wicket each
🧠 Key Stats & Records
- Steve Smith surpassed Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar for the most runs by a visiting batsman at Lord’s.
- Rabada became the first South African pacer to take 5 wickets at Lord’s since Allan Donald.
- 14 wickets fell on Day 1 – a rarity at the WTC Final level.
📌 Day 2 Preview: What Lies Ahead?
South Africa is on the back foot, trailing by 169 runs with only six wickets in hand. With their middle and lower order yet to face the fiery Australian pace, Day 2 could define the course of this WTC Final.
🧐 Questions Going into Day 2:
- Can Bavuma and Bedingham build a resistance?
- Will Australia force a follow-on if South Africa collapses?
- How will the Lord’s pitch behave under the sun on Day 2?
🧵 Final Thoughts: A Test for the Ages in the Making
The opening day of the WTC Final 2025 lived up to every bit of hype. It had drama, milestones, pace dominance, and a packed crowd at Lord’s witnessing classic Test cricket. As the battle intensifies, both teams will look to seize the momentum on Day 2.
Whether it’s Rabada’s thunderbolts, Smith’s calm brilliance, or the Aussie pace trio, Day 1 set the tone for what could be a thrilling contest to crown the World Test Champion.
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