The opening day of the World Test Championship final belonged to the bowlers, especially South Africa’s pace star Kagiso Rabada. He delivered a fiery and disciplined spell, claiming 5 wickets to help bowl out Australia for just 212 runs in their first innings.
Australia was in trouble early, collapsing to 67/4, but a vital 79-run partnership between Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) gave them some hope. Their resistance didn’t last long, though, as Rabada returned after the tea break to dismantle the remaining batting lineup. The last five Australian wickets could add only 18 runs, a testament to Rabada’s tight and aggressive bowling.
This impressive performance saw Rabada overtake Allan Donald to become South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test history, a significant milestone, especially after recently serving a short ban for recreational drug use.
South Africa, however, faced their own challenges with the bat. At stumps on Day 1, they were 43/4 and in deep trouble. Mitchell Starc struck early, removing openers Aiden Markram (0) and Ryan Rickelton (16). Pat Cummins followed up by clean bowling Wiaan Mulder (6), while Josh Hazlewood dismissed Tristan Stubbs (2) by breaking through his defense.
Temba Bavuma (3) and David Bedingham (8) remain unbeaten and will resume the innings on Day 2. With South Africa trailing and wickets already lost, the second day promises another exciting contest in the World Test Championship final.
