London, June 11, 2025 – On a dramatic Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, Australia fought back strongly to reach 190‑5 at tea, turning the tide after a challenging morning session in which they lost four quick wickets to South Africa’s potent seam attack.
The Morning Collapse
South African skipper Temba Bavuma opted to bowl first amid overcast skies—conditions ripe for swing and seam movement. The strategy paid immediate dividends. Star pacers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen made early inroads, dismantling Australia’s top order:
- Usman Khawaja (duck) and Marnus Labuschagne (17) both fell to Jansen and Rabada respectively .
- Cameron Green and Travis Head also lost their wickets in quick succession, leaving Australia at a precarious 67–4 at lunch.
Rabada delivered a fiery opening spell of 2/9 that rattled the Australians early.
Middle Session Rebuild
The afternoon session brought relief. Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (55*) formed a battling partnership of 79 runs for the fifth wicket, switching momentum back toward the Aussies.
Smith’s gritty fifty came at a strike rate around 80, reasserting his reputation as one of the world’s premier middle-order batters . Meanwhile, Webster, playing his role as a stabilizer, punished loose deliveries with authority. Together, they not only stemmed the flow of runs but steadily added 123 runs for just one wicket through lunch and into tea.
Tea Summary – 190‑5
At the tea break, Australia stood at 190‑5 off 50 overs—a commendable recovery from their earlier collapse. It marks a shift from being on the back foot to reclaiming control heading into the final session.
Key contributors at tea:
- Steve Smith: 66
- Beau Webster: 55*
- Australia’s rebound after a dreadful morning plunge
South Africa’s bowling highlight:
- Kagiso Rabada: Early impact with two wickets, disrupting the top order.
Context: Rabada’s Dominance
Rabada enjoyed a career-defining day, initially reducing Australia to 67‑4 and later completing a five-wicket haul after the second innings – finishing with match figures of 5/51. His relentless aggression and skill remain central to South Africa’s early upper hand.
Strategic Takeaways
- Australia’s resilience: The recovery highlights the depth and tenacity of Australia’s batting lineup. Smith’s innings cemented his status as a world-class test cricketer.
- South Africa’s menace: With Rabada and Jansen threatening throughout, Proteas maintain strong control and can strike early in the final session.
- Battle still open: Despite the fightback, Australia remain five down and far from a dominant position. South Africa will look to strike again quickly after tea to regain the initiative.
Looking Ahead to the Final Session
As players return for the evening session, all eyes will be on:
- Webster and Carey’s ability to build on their partnership and steer Australia above 250–300 on Day 1.
- South Africa’s seamers resuming attack, with fresh spells from Rabada, Jansen, and spinners like Maharaj testing Australia.
- Key match-ups such as Rabada vs Webster and Cummins vs Jansen—with potential implications for both side’s fortunes.
Why This Matters
- Australia aim to defend their 2023 WTC title and become the first back‑to‑back winners.
- South Africa chase their maiden ICC title since 1998 and are determined to seize dominance on a mission-critical day .
- ICC’s boosted prize money targets a record-breaking tournament, with the winner to take home $3.6 million .
