WTC Final Day 1: Australia skittled for 212, but Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood trigger South African top-order collapse

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WTC Final Day 1: Australia skittled for 212, but Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood trigger South African top-order collapse
Australia's Josh Hazlewood (4R) celebrates taking the wicket of South Africa's Tristan Stubbs

Story Highlights:

Australia scored 212 runs in first innngs of WTC final vs South Africa.

WTC final Day 1: Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at Lord’s, the iconic ‘Mecca of Cricket’, belonged entirely to the bowlers, who dictated terms from start to finish. South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada set the tone with a fiery spell that helped bowl out Australia for just 212 in their first innings. But just when South Africa looked to gain control, the Australian pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood turned the tables with a ruthless response. South Africa’s top order crumbled under pressure, ending the day at 43 for 4 and trailing by 169 runs. As Day 1 ended, the Proteas are currently in trouble and will need a good batting fightback to claw their way back into this title decider. 

Despite bundling out Australia on just 212 runs, South Africa batters failed to get a good start as their opener  Aiden Markram was dismissed by Mitchell Starc on a duck. While Ryan Rickelton was out after scoring 16 runs in 23 balls with 3 fours. After this, Wiaan Mulder (6), Tristan Stubbs (2) were also unable to build the partnership. The Proteas lost four wickets for just 30 runs as  Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood wreaked havoc. At the end of day 1, skipper Temba Bavuma (2) and David Bedingham (8) remained unbeaten.

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Australia lost 4 wickets on 67

After being asked to bat, Australia failed to get a good start as Kagiso Rabada picked two early wickets to carry the momentum of the game. Australia lost four wickets by the score of 67 runs. For Australia, Usman Khawaja (0), Marnus Labuschagne (17), Cameron Green (4) and Travis Head (11) could not do anything special in the first innings.

Australia was restricted on 212

After losing four wickets in quick succession, Steve Smith and Beau Webster were the standout performers for the Pat Cummins-led side. The duo stitched a 79-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Smith got dismissed by Aiden Markram on 66 runs. After his wicket, Webster also opened his hands and scored 72 runs in 92 balls with 11 fours. The lower-order batters Alex Carey (23), captain Pat Cummins (1), Mitchell Starc (1) and Nathan Lyon (0) got out quickly. Due to which the Australian team was reduced to 212 runs in 56.4 overs.