The World Test Championship final 2025 kicked off at Lord’s on June 11, 2025. Australia faced South Africa in a thrilling battle of pace and skill. Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl first under cloudy skies. Australia’s batting lineup struggled, scoring 212, with Beau Webster shining at 72. Kagiso Rabada’s fiery 5-51 rattled the Aussies, as per ESPN Cricinfo. South Africa’s reply was shaky, ending at 43/4, with Mitchell Starc striking early.
Both teams’ pace attacks dominated, with 14 wickets falling, according to BBC Sport. This match showcased intense cricket, with every ball carrying drama. Fans eagerly await Day 2 to see if South Africa can recover or if Australia’s bowlers tighten their grip, after they missed out on CT 2025.
Match Analysis: Key Moments of Day 1
Rabada’s Five-Wicket Haul Crushes Australia
Kagiso Rabada was the star for South Africa, taking 5-51. His pace and swing dismantled Australia’s batting at 212. He dismissed key players like Usman Khawaja and Pat Cummins, reports Cricbuzz. Rabada’s spell included a stunning over, removing two wickets in four balls. He surpassed Allan Donald’s 330 Test wickets, says Wikipedia.
His wobble-seam delivery ended Beau Webster’s gritty 72. South Africa’s decision to bowl first paid off, thanks to Rabada’s fire. He exploited the Lord’s wicket conditions perfectly, as per Aajtak Sports. Australia’s collapse from 192/5 was a turning point.
Stats: Rabada’s 5-51 is his second five-wicket haul at Lord’s.
Beau Webster’s Fighting Fifty Steadies Australia
Beau Webster’s 72 was a lifeline for Australia’s shaky batting. He faced 69 balls, hitting nine fours, says ESPN Cricinfo. His gritty knock came despite two close lbw calls early on. Webster survived South Africa’s pace attack, led by Marco Jansen. He partnered with Steven Smith to push Australia past 150.
His fierce pull shots frustrated Rabada, notes BBC Sports. A loose waft ended his innings, caught by David Bedingham. Webster’s effort gave Australia a defendable total. South Africa rued missed reviews, according to Cricbuzz.
Stats: Webster’s 72 is his highest Test score.
South Africa’s Top Order Crumbles Early
South Africa’s batting faltered, ending Day 1 at 43/4. Aiden Markram fell for a duck to Mitchell Starc’s inswinger. Ryan Rickelton’s 14 couldn’t stop the slide, says Aajtak Sports. Wiaan Mulder scored six off 44 balls, struggling at No. 3. Josh Hazlewood’s stunning delivery castled Tristan Stubbs late.
Australia’s pacers exploited the conditions, reports ESPN Cricinfo. Temba Bavuma, not out on 2, faces a tough task on Day 2. South Africa trail by 169 runs. Their batting depth is under pressure, per BBC Sports.
Stats: South Africa’s 43/4 is their lowest score after 20 overs in a WTC final.
Starc’s First-Over Strike Sets Tone
Mitchell Starc struck in the first over, dismissing Aiden Markram. His inswinger crashed into Markram’s stumps for a duck. The Nursery End roared, says Cricbuzz. Starc’s tight left-arm line troubled South Africa’s openers. He nearly had Wiaan Mulder, but Alex Carey dropped a catch.
His 2-10 spell kept Australia in control, per ESPN Cricinfo. South Africa’s early loss put pressure on their middle order. Starc’s swing was unplayable under cloudy skies. Day 1’s tone was set, notes BBC Sports.
Stats: Starc has taken a wicket in the first over in three Tests this year.
Alex Carey’s Reverse Sweep Backfires
Alex Carey’s reverse sweep triggered Australia’s collapse at 192/5. Keshav Maharaj dismissed him for 23 with a looping delivery. The risky shot drew criticism, says Aajtak Sports. Carey’s wife famously dislikes his reverse sweep, per ESPN Cricinfo. His dismissal opened the floodgates for South Africa’s bowlers.
Australia lost five wickets for 20 runs post-tea. Maharaj’s 199th Test wicket shifted momentum, reports BBC Sport. Carey’s bold approach failed in Lord’s tricky conditions. South Africa capitalised on the error, notes Cricbuzz.
Stats: Carey has been dismissed six times playing the reverse sweep in Tests.
🏏 Day 1 Match Flow Summary
| Session/Event | Overs | Team | Score | Key Highlights / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drinks (Morning) | 13.0 | Australia | 29/2 | Labuschagne 17*, Smith 5* |
| 50 Runs | 19.6 | Australia | 50/4 | Extras: 8 |
| Lunch | 23.2 | Australia | 67/4 | Smith 26*, Wickets: 4 |
| Review – Smith (Umpire’s Call) | 21.6 | Australia | – | LBW, Struck down |
| Review – Webster (Umpire’s Call) | 27.3 | Australia | – | LBW, Struck down |
| 100 Runs | 32.1 | Australia | 100/4 | Extras: 9 |
| 50-run partnership | ~37.0 | Australia | 123/4 | Smith 30, Webster 18, Extras 2 |
| Drinks (Afternoon) | 37.0 | Australia | 123/4 | Smith 62*, Webster 18* |
| Review – Webster (Out) | 37.5 | Australia | – | LBW, Struck down |
| 150 Runs | 42.1 | Australia | 150/5 | Extras: 12 |
| Review – Carey (Out) | 43.1 | Australia | – | LBW, Struck down |
| Webster 50 | ~45.0 | Australia | ~175/5 | 50 off 69 balls (8 fours) |
| Tea | 50.0 | Australia | 190/5 | Webster 55*, Carey 22* |
| 200 Runs | 53.1 | Australia | 200/8 | Extras: 15 |
| Innings End | 56.4 | Australia | 212 all out | Hazlewood 0*, All out |
| Drinks (Evening) | 11.0 | South Africa | 19/2 | Mulder 1*, Bavuma 0* |
| End of Day | 22.0 | South Africa | 43/4 | Bavuma 3*, Bedingham 8* |
Steven Smith’s Crucial Fifty at Lord’s
Steven Smith scored a vital 66, steadying Australia at 146/4. His 76-ball knock included nine fours, says Wikipedia. He became the Lord’s highest overseas run-scorer, per ESPN Cricinfo. Smith’s back-and-across movement countered Rabada’s pace. He slashed boundaries to keep Australia moving forward.
Aiden Markram’s unexpected offspin ended his stay, reports BBC Sport. South Africa’s failure to review an lbw call cost them. Smith’s knock was a masterclass, says Cricbuzz. His experience tilted the innings in Australia’s favour.
Stats: Smith’s 66 took him past Warren Bardsley’s Lord’s run tally.
South Africa’s Batting Order Misstep
South Africa’s decision to place Wiaan Mulder at No. 3 backfired. Mulder scored six off 44 balls, slowing momentum. His defensive approach hurt South Africa, says Aajtak Sports. The experiment aimed to shield Temba Bavuma but failed. Mulder struggled against Pat Cummins’ swing, per ESPN Cricinfo.
Tristan Stubbs’ late dismissal compounded the issue. South Africa’s top-order shuffle may need rethinking, notes BBC Sport. Their batting lacks aggression in tough conditions. Day 2 will test their strategy, says Cricbuzz.
Stats: Mulder’s 44-ball six is his slowest Test innings.
Lord’s Pitch Favours Pace Bowlers
The Lord’s pitch offered seam movement, favouring pace bowlers. Fourteen wickets fell, with Rabada and Starc shining, says Wikipedia. Overcast conditions aided swing, per ESPN Cricinfo. South Africa’s decision to bowl first was spot-on, notes BBC Sport. Australia’s quicks also exploited the pitch late.
Both teams’ seamers dominated, says Cricbuzz. Day 2 may see spinners like Nathan Lyon play a role. The pitch’s bounce will challenge batsmen. This final could be a low-scoring thriller, per Aajtak Sports.
Stats: The pitch saw 14 wickets, the most on Day 1 of a WTC final.
Australia’s Lower Order Fragility Exposed
Australia’s collapse from 192/5 exposed their lower-order weakness. Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc fell quickly to Rabada. The tail added just 20 runs, says ESPN Cricinfo. Pat Cummins’ early dismissal for 1 hurt Australia’s total. South Africa’s pace attack targeted the tail effectively.
Keshav Maharaj’s spin also chipped in, per BBC Sports. Australia’s batting depth could be a concern, notes Cricbuzz. Their quicks must now defend 212. Day 2 will reveal if this impacts their strategy, says Aajtak Sports.
Stats: Australia’s last five wickets fell in 7.1 overs.
Final Word For Day 1
Day 1 of the 2025 World Test Championship final was a bowler’s paradise at Lord’s. Australia’s 212, led by Beau Webster’s 72 and Steven Smith’s 66, set a modest target, as per ESPN Cricinfo. Kagiso Rabada’s 5-51 was the standout, collapsing Australia’s innings, says BBC Sport. South Africa’s reply was disastrous, slumping to 43/4, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood striking hard. The match hangs in the balance, with South Africa trailing by 169 runs, per Cricbuzz.
Temba Bavuma’s grit will be crucial on Day 2, as Aajtak Sports notes. Australia’s pace attack looks lethal, but their batting depth is a worry. This low-scoring thriller could swing either way, with both teams’ bowlers dominating. Fans are in for a gripping contest, according to Wikipedia.
Day 2 – Story So far
In a day soaked with drama, adrenaline, and vintage Test cricket grit, Australia finished Day 2 of the WTC Final at Lord’s with a 218-run lead and two wickets still in hand. The pace trio of Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi turned the match into a see-saw thriller. Cummins picked up 6 for 28 — bringing up his 300th Test scalp, while Ngidi responded with a fiery 3-for to bring South Africa back into the game. However, Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc’s late 61-run stand snatched the momentum right back for Australia. With 14 wickets falling for the second day running, the final is racing toward a result, but it’s advantage Australia, just.
🧨 Cummins Dominates Morning, Bags 300th Test Wicket
Australia began Day 2 with intent and aggression. South Africa, resuming at 43/4, were immediately under pressure. But Temba Bavuma counterattacked with flair, lofting Starc and pulling Cummins into the stands. Partnering with David Bedingham, he stitched a gritty 64-run stand. However, just when South Africa began to settle, Marnus Labuschagne produced a blinder at cover to dismiss Bavuma for 36.
That opened the gates.
Cummins cleaned up the tail in clinical fashion — dismissing Bedingham, Rabada, and Jansen — to end with 6 for 28, reaching 300 career wickets, becoming the first visiting captain to take a five-for at Lord’s. South Africa collapsed for 138, conceding a 74-run lead.
🦁 South Africa Fight Back – Rabada and Ngidi Strike in Tandem
Australia’s second innings began shakily. Rabada, despite bowling five no-balls, struck twice in an over, removing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green just like Day 1. Jansen kept the pressure on with a tireless spell. But the big comeback came from Lungi Ngidi.
After a quiet start, Ngidi unleashed a vicious spell post-tea. His delivery to bowl Pat Cummins — a searing yorker — was the ball of the day. In the same burst, he dismissed Steven Smith and Beau Webster, ending with 3 for 35 in 9 overs. At one stage, Australia were 73/7 and South Africa were dreaming.
🔁 Carey-Starc Partnership Turns Tide Again
Just when South Africa sensed control, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc counterattacked. Their 61-run eighth wicket stand came at 4.3 runs per over, and sucked the life out of South Africa’s charge. Rabada finally trapped Carey lbw, but not before the damage was done. Starc was dropped in the final over by Jansen at gully, a costly miss that could haunt South Africa.
By stumps, Australia had reached 144/8, leading by 218 runs, with two wickets still in hand and the mace glistening closer.
📊 Key Moments – Day 2
| Moment | Description |
|---|---|
| 💥 Cummins 300th Wicket | Bowled Rabada with a short ball, becoming the 11th Australian with 300+ wickets. |
| 🎯 Labuschagne’s Catch | Full-stretch dive to dismiss Bavuma changed the morning momentum. |
| 💫 Ngidi’s Yorker | Smashed middle stump to send Cummins packing — pure fire. |
| 😓 Missed Chance | Starc dropped by Jansen in the day’s final over — momentum lost. |
| 🧱 Carey-Starc Partnership | Rescued Australia from 73/7 to 134/7 — could be decisive. |
📉 South Africa’s Task Ahead – A Mountain to Climb
To win this Test, South Africa must chase what would be the fourth-highest total in Lord’s history. With Australia’s bowlers — Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood — all in rhythm, even chasing 150 won’t be easy, let alone a 200+ target. They must hope for early wickets on Day 3 and then an inspired batting performance.
Final Word For Day 2
If Day 1 was chaos, Day 2 was carnage — 28 wickets in just 6 sessions tells its own tale. But despite multiple momentum swings, Australia’s depth and discipline gave them the edge. With just two wickets remaining and a lead of over 200, Pat Cummins’ men remain in pole position for the WTC crown. But with one good session, South Africa could still script history.
