Kagiso Rabada headlines day 1 with 5-fer as Australia falter for 212

Kagiso Rabada produced a fiery spell of fast bowling to claim a five-wicket haul, helping South Africa bundle out Australia for just 212 on the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s. The Proteas pacer finished with outstanding figures of 5 for 51 in 15.4 overs, marking his second five-wicket haul at the historic London venue.

Captain Temba Bavuma’s decision to bowl first under overcast skies paid immediate dividends. Rabada set the tone early with a devastating double strike in a single over, reducing the reigning champions to 16/2. He dismissed Usman Khawaja for a 20-ball duck, inducing a thick edge to the slips, and followed it up by removing Cameron Green for four runs via a brilliant low catch by Aiden Markram.

The Australian top order continued to falter under pressure from South Africa’s disciplined seam attack. Steve Smith and all-rounder Beau Webster were left with the task of rebuilding the innings. The pair steadied the ship with a crucial 79-run stand for the fifth wicket. Smith, in particular, looked composed and collected against both pace and spin, reaching a well-crafted 66 before falling to the unlikely spin of Markram.

Webster, playing in just his sixth Test, continued to impress. The Tasmanian right-hander compiled a fluent 72 off 92 balls, laced with 11 boundaries. It was his second Test half-century and a vital contribution amid a flurry of dismissals. However, his resistance ended when he edged Rabada to the slip cordon, bringing an end to a promising knock. Notably, Webster had a major stroke of luck earlier in his innings when he survived an lbw appeal on just eight runs, South Africa opted not to review, much to their eventual frustration.

Rabada returned to dismantle the tail, claiming the wickets of captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, the latter clean-bowled to wrap up the innings. His fifth wicket crowned a sensational performance that showcased his skill, control, and match-winning temperament on the grand stage.

Australia, who were eyeing back-to-back WTC titles after their 2023 triumph over India, found themselves on the back foot against a fired-up Proteas outfit desperate to end a long wait for global silverware. South Africa last lifted a major ICC trophy in 1998 when they won the ICC KnockOut trophy, now known as the Champions Trophy.

With the ball already doing the talking, South Africa have seized early momentum in this high-stakes contest. Rabada’s opening day heroics have not only rattled Australia’s batting lineup but also reinvigorated South Africa’s hopes of claiming their maiden WTC title.

This article first appeared on Mid Day