The WTC Final 2025 Day 1 was an amazing show where bowlers from both teams took charge! A huge number of 14 wickets fell throughout the day. South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada bowled brilliantly, taking five wickets. This helped his team dismiss Australia for only 212 runs. But then, Australia’s bowlers, especially Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, fought back strongly. They took four South African wickets before the end of the day’s play, leaving South Africa struggling at 43 runs for 4 wickets when stumps were called. This intense start set the tone for the WTC Final 2025 Day 1.
Rabada was outstanding. He sent Aiden Markram back to the pavilion in South Africa’s very first over. Then, he also got Markram’s opening partner, Ryan Rickelton, out. Starc bowled seven overs in a row, putting a lot of pressure on the South African batters. In those first 10 overs, South Africa managed to score only 19 runs. By the end of the day, South Africa was limping along at 43 runs for 4 wickets.
Before that, Rabada and Marco Jansen bowled very well together for South Africa. They worked as a team to stop Australia from scoring too many runs. Jansen finished with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 49 runs. Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram (who bowls part-time spin) each took one wicket. Australia had a good period of batting in the middle of the day. But before and after that, South Africa’s bowlers were in complete control. Australia lost five wickets in just 6.4 overs after the tea break. South Africa had won the first session (part of the day’s play) by taking four wickets. So, overall, South Africa was slightly ahead at the end of WTC Final 2025 Day 1.
Australia’s Batting on WTC Final 2025 Day 1
Australia began their innings after South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first. Early on, the conditions were good for swing bowling, and South Africa’s fast bowlers took full advantage. Rabada, in particular, was exceptional. He quickly removed key Australian batters like Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green, putting Australia in early trouble. This early struggle was a significant part of the WTC Final 2025 Day 1 story.
Marnus Labuschagne, Australia’s new opener, tried to build an innings but was eventually dismissed. Travis Head also fell cheaply. However, Steve Smith and Beau Webster then showed great resilience. They managed to play through a difficult period when South Africa’s main fast bowlers were at their best. They started to score runs more freely in the second session, building a crucial partnership that brought some stability to Australia’s innings. This fightback showed the depth of Australia’s batting in the WTC Final 2025 Day 1.
Smith looked very steady and calm, as he often does. He reached his 42nd Test half-century, a remarkable achievement. However, after scoring 66 runs from 112 balls, he was caught brilliantly at first slip by Marco Jansen off Aiden Markram’s bowling. This wicket was a big moment in the WTC Final 2025 Day 1 as it broke a vital partnership.
Webster, on the other hand, continued to score runs after Smith’s dismissal. He reached his second Test half-century, showing good control and composure under pressure. His ability to keep the scoreboard moving was crucial for Australia. Despite the partnerships, Australia’s innings ended quickly towards the end of the day, with Rabada taking a well-deserved five-wicket haul. This collapse meant Australia did not reach the big score they would have hoped for in the WTC Final 2025 Day 1.
South Africa’s Response and Australian Bowling Dominance
When South Africa started their first innings, Australia’s bowlers came out with great energy, eager to make up for their team’s low score. Mitchell Starc was outstanding from the very first ball. He got Aiden Markram out for no runs, which is a dream start for any bowler. Soon after, he also dismissed Ryan Rickelton, South Africa’s other opener. This double blow from Starc immediately put South Africa under huge pressure. The intensity of this period was a major aspect of the WTC Final 2025 Day 1.
Starc bowled a long spell of seven overs in a row, showing great fitness and focus. South Africa’s batters found it incredibly difficult to score runs against him, managing only 19 runs in the first 10 overs of their innings. This tight bowling was a masterclass in Test match discipline.
Wiaan Mulder, batting at number three, managed to survive an early chance when Australia’s wicketkeeper, Alex Carey, dropped an easy catch off Starc’s bowling. This was a lucky escape for Mulder, but he couldn’t make it count. He was eventually bowled out by Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, after scoring only six runs from 44 balls. This slow scoring rate further emphasized the WTC Final 2025 Day 1 dominance of the bowlers.
South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, also found it very hard to get runs. He took 31 balls just to score his first two runs, which was met with cheers from the South African fans, highlighting the struggle. Josh Hazlewood then claimed another key wicket, dismissing Tristan Stubbs just before the close of play. This left South Africa in a very difficult position.
At the end of WTC Final 2025 Day 1, David Bedingham remained unbeaten on eight runs, showing some fight by hitting two boundaries in the last over off Cummins. Bavuma was also not out on three runs. South Africa is now behind Australia’s first innings total by 169 runs, meaning they have a big task ahead on Day 2 to try and catch up.
The Battle for Supremacy on WTC Final 2025 Day 1
The WTC Final 2025 Day 1 was a true Test of skill and patience. Both teams showed strong bowling performances, but also moments of struggle with the bat. The day’s play highlights the balance of power in Test cricket, where a good bowling performance can quickly change the game’s direction. Rabada’s five-wicket haul was a prime example of individual brilliance. Similarly, Starc’s early wickets for Australia swung the momentum back after their disappointing batting performance.
The match situation sets up a fascinating Day 2. South Africa will need their remaining batters to show great resilience and build strong partnerships to get a respectable total. They will want to avoid following on (batting again immediately if they are far behind). Australia, on the other hand, will be aiming to take the remaining wickets quickly and then build a large lead in their second innings. The conditions at Lord’s often favor bowlers early, but batting can become easier as the match progresses, adding another layer to the strategic battle. The WTC Final 2025 Day 1 has truly set the stage for an exciting continuation.
This final is not just any Test match; it is the ultimate prize in Test cricket, determining the world champions. Every run, every wicket, and every moment of pressure is magnified. The dramatic start to the WTC Final 2025 Day 1 has already shown that this will be a match to remember. The intensity and high stakes mean that players on both sides will be giving their absolute best, creating a truly compelling cricketing spectacle for fans around the globe.
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