Australian men’s cricket team vs South africa national cricket team match scorecard: The opening day of the World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s turned out to be a bowler’s paradise as South Africa made the most of overcast conditions and a lively surface to dismiss Australia for just 212 runs. Spearheading the Proteas attack, Kagiso Rabada produced a sensational spell, bagging 5 wickets for 51 runs, while Marco Jansen backed him up brilliantly with 3 scalps. The fiery bowling performance has put South Africa in a promising position in this high-stakes five-day encounter.
After winning the toss, South African captain Temba Bavuma opted to field first, and the move paid immediate dividends. Australia lost both Usman Khawaja (0) and Cameron Green (4) cheaply inside the opening exchanges. Although Steve Smith and Beau Webster steadied the innings with impressive knocks of 66 and 72 respectively, the rest of the batting lineup faltered against relentless pressure from the Proteas’ pace unit.
Smith, batting with characteristic elegance, struck 10 boundaries in his 112-ball stay, while Webster counter-attacked with flair, smashing 11 fours in just 92 deliveries. The duo stitched together a crucial 79-run stand for the fifth wicket, but once their partnership was broken, Australia crumbled. Alex Carey chipped in with 23 runs, but none of the lower order could resist the relentless pressure.
Rabada was simply unplayable during his spells, removing top-order and tail-enders alike. He claimed the prized scalps of Khawaja, Green, Webster, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins, showcasing his mastery of seam and swing. Jansen accounted for Labuschagne (17), Carey, and Hazlewood, while Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram chipped in with a wicket each to wrap up the innings.
However, South Africa’s response with the bat was far from ideal. Facing the new ball under gloomy skies, they stumbled early against Australia’s pace battery. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins breathed fire, reducing the Proteas to 43 for 4 at stumps on Day 1. Top-order batters, including Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, and Ryan Rickelton, failed to provide any resistance.
At close of play, Temba Bavuma (3)* and David Bedingham (8)* remained unbeaten, with South Africa trailing by 169 runs and needing a steady partnership to regain balance in this see-saw battle. Australia currently holds the upper hand with a 70% win probability, thanks to their strong bowling finish to an otherwise disappointing batting display.
With the pitch continuing to offer assistance to seamers and cloudy conditions forecast for Day 2, the second morning could be equally explosive. South Africa will need a gritty rearguard effort from the middle order to stay in the hunt for the Test mace. Meanwhile, Australia will look to tighten their grip and build pressure from the get-go.
As the WTC Final 2025 unfolds, fans can expect more twists, as both teams vie for the ultimate crown in Test cricket on the hallowed turf of Lord’s.
