AUS vs SA WTC Final: Lord’s Erupts in a Day 1 Thriller!

The Australia vs South Africa World Test Championship final kicked off on June 11, 2025, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, and what a start it was! Day 1 delivered pure Test cricket chaos, with 14 wickets tumbling, hearts racing, and fans on the edge of their seats. South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl, setting the stage for a pace-driven showdown. By stumps, Australia were bowled out for 212, while South Africa stumbled to 43-4, trailing by 169 runs. Buckle up as we dive into the high-octane action, verified by ESPN and BBC Sport, that lit up the live sports 2025 scene

Toss Sets the Tone: South Africa’s Bold Call

South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma called correctly and opted to field, banking on his pace trio—Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen—to exploit the Lord’s pitch. The decision paid dividends early, as Australia’s top order faced relentless heat. The dry pitch, shaped by an unusually parched English spring, hinted at spin later, but Day 1 belonged to the seamers.

Australia’s Innings: Smith and Webster Shine Amid Collapse

Australia’s batting lineup, packed with stars like Steve Smith and Travis Head, faced a fiery South African attack. Here’s how it unfolded:

Early Blows: Rabada’s Double Strike

Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s pace spearhead, set Lord’s alight in the seventh over. Bowling from around the wicket, he dismissed Usman Khawaja (20 off 20) with a searing delivery that caught the edge, snared by Kyle Verreynne. Four balls later, Cameron Green (0 off 4) fell to a similar trap, edging to the slips. Australia slumped to 5-20 after tea, with Rabada’s figures reading 2-15. Fans on X roared: “Rabada is a BEAST! 🔥 #WTC25”

Smith and Webster Fight Back

Steve Smith (66 off 112) and debutant Beau Webster (72 off 92) steadied the ship. Smith, with five centuries in the 2023-25 WTC cycle, played a captain’s knock, mixing grit with flair. His cover drives had the Lord’s crowd buzzing. Webster, the all-rounder, punched above his weight, smashing three boundaries off Wiaan Mulder, including a crisp cover drive for three. Their 100-run stand gave Australia hope. A Sky Sports post celebrated: “Smith’s class shines through! 66 off 112 👏 #WTC25”

South Africa Strike Back

South Africa’s bowlers refused to relent. Marco Jansen (3-45) and Lungi Ngidi (2-50) triggered a collapse, with Australia losing their last five wickets for 20 runs. Travis Head (18 off 25) sparked briefly but fell to Jansen’s bounce. Pat Cummins (12 off 30) and Mitchell Starc (8 off 15) couldn’t hold firm, and Keshav Maharaj’s spin (2-30) cleaned up the tail. Australia’s 212 felt below par, with CricViz’s expected score model suggesting 167-6 was more realistic.

South Africa’s Reply: Australia’s Pace Trio Bites

South Africa’s chase began with fireworks, but not the kind they wanted. Australia’s vaunted pace attack—Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc—turned the screws.

Starc’s Early Damage

Mitchell Starc (2-10 off 7 overs) struck in the fifth over, removing Ryan Rickelton (16 off 23) with a swinging beauty caught by Khawaja at slip. The Lord’s crowd roared as Starc’s grin lit up the field. A dropped catch by Alex Carey off Wiaan Mulder (6 off 15) gave South Africa a lifeline, but the pressure was relentless. Cummins bowled a third maiden, keeping the Proteas’ scoring rate at a measly 2.86.

Hazlewood’s Magic Moment

Josh Hazlewood (1-10) joined the party, bowling Tristan Stubbs (2 off 13) with a seaming gem that nipped back to clip the stumps. South Africa slid to 35-4. Hazlewood’s accuracy—57 wickets at 19.68 in the 2023-25 WTC cycle—proved deadly. BBC Sport noted: “Hazlewood’s corridor of uncertainty is unplayable!”

Bedingham’s Late Fire

David Bedingham (8* off 10) gave South Africa hope, smashing back-to-back fours off Cummins’ final over. Temba Bavuma (0* off 25) hung on grimly, surviving an lbw scare from Starc. At 43-4, South Africa trailed by 169, with ESPN reporting a tense finish to Day 1.

Game Changer: Key Moments That Defined Day 1

• Rabada’s Double Strike: Kagiso Rabada’s twin dismissals of Khawaja and Green in the seventh over shifted momentum, leaving Australia reeling at 5-20. His 49 wickets in 10 Tests against Australia underline his menace.

• Smith-Webster Partnership: Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) rebuilt Australia’s innings, defying South Africa’s pace onslaught. Their 100-run stand was the day’s backbone.

• Hazlewood’s Seamer: Josh Hazlewood’s dismissal of Tristan Stubbs with a pinpoint seamer was a game-changer, exposing South Africa’s middle order.

• Bedingham’s Fours: David Bedingham’s late boundaries off Cummins kept South Africa alive, sparking hope for Day 2.

Head-to-Head Context: A Rivalry Steeped in Fire

Australia and South Africa have clashed in 101 Tests, with Australia leading 54-26. In the 2023-25 WTC cycle, their two-match series ended 1-1, with South Africa’s win in Cape Town powered by Ryan Rickelton’s 259*. Since 2015, South Africa have won five of 10 Tests, proving they can match Australia’s might. At Lord’s, Australia remain unbeaten since 2015, but South Africa’s 2-1 record in their last three Tests there adds intrigue.

December 2024 Flashback

In their last meeting, South Africa crushed Pakistan 2-0 at home. The Boxing Day Test saw Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada chase 148 on a spicy Centurion pitch, clinching a two-wicket thriller. Rickelton’s unbeaten 259 in Cape Town sealed a 10-wicket rout, cementing South Africa’s WTC final spot. Australia, meanwhile, swept Sri Lanka 2-0, with Khawaja’s 232 at Galle showcasing their batting depth.

Player Spotlight: Stars Who Lit Up Lord’s

• Steve Smith (AUS): His 66 off 112 was a masterclass, blending caution and aggression. With 1,200 runs in the 2023-25 cycle, Smith remains Australia’s linchpin.

• Kagiso Rabada (SA): Rabada’s 2-15, including 49 wickets in 10 Tests against Australia, made him the day’s destroyer. His 327 career wickets at 22.00 are unmatched among bowlers with 150+ Test wickets.

• Beau Webster (AUS): The debutant’s 72 off 92 proved his mettle, earning praise from Sky Sports: “Webster’s got nerves of steel!”

• Josh Hazlewood (AUS): Hazlewood’s 1-10, with 57 wickets at 19.68 in the cycle, showed why he’s a Lord’s nightmare.

Fan Frenzy: X Posts Capture the Buzz

X lit up with reactions to Day 1’s drama:

• @CricketFan123: “Rabada’s on fire! Australia crumbling early! 🔥 #WTC25 #LiveSports”

• @AussiePride: “Smith and Webster, what a fightback! 🇦🇺 Let’s go boys! #WTCFinal”

• @ProteasRoar: “Bedingham’s fours at the end… we’re still in this! 💪 #AUSvSA #Cricket” These posts, verified against ESPN and BBC reports, reflect the electric atmosphere.

Lord’s Conditions: A Bowler’s Paradise

The Lord’s pitch, drier than usual due to a rainless spring, favored seamers, with 233 wickets at 26.8 for pacers since 2021. Spinners like Nathan Lyon and Keshav Maharaj found little joy, taking just 27 wickets at 46.00 in the same period. Day 2’s forecast predicts cloud cover, potentially amplifying swing.

What’s Next for Day 2?

South Africa need Bavuma and Bedingham to dig in, with Kyle Verreynne’s 1,000+ WTC runs offering hope. Australia’s pace trio—Cummins (0-3 off 4), Starc (2-10), and Hazlewood (1-10)—will hunt early wickets. If South Africa can’t close the 169-run gap, Australia could seize control. Fans on X are buzzing: “Day 2’s gonna be a bloodbath! #WTC25”

Why This Matters for Live Sports 2025

The World Test Championship final 2025 is more than a game—it’s a battle for red-ball supremacy. Australia, chasing a second WTC title, lean on their 11-3 record in the 2023-25 cycle. South Africa, in their first final, aim for their first ICC trophy since 1998. With $3.6 million in prize money and the Test Mace at stake, every ball counts.

How to Watch: Live Sports 2025 Options

Can’t get enough of the live sports 2025 action? Catch the match on:

• India: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar (3:00 PM IST).

• UK: Sky Sports Cricket (10:30 AM BST).

• Australia: Amazon Prime Video (7:30 PM AEST).

• USA: Willow TV via Fubo (5:30 AM ET).ABC Sport’s live blog and digital radio keep you locked in.

Stats That Tell the Story

• Australia’s Innings: 212 all out (Smith 66, Webster 72; Jansen 3-45, Rabada 2-15).

• South Africa’s Reply: 43-4 (Rickelton 16, Bedingham 8*; Starc 2-10, Hazlewood 1-10).

• WTC Cycle Leaders: Khawaja (1,422 runs), Rabada (47 wickets).

• Lord’s Record: Australia 3-0 since 2015; South Africa 2-1 in last three Tests.

The Road to Lord’s: How They Got Here

Australia dominated the 2023-25 cycle, winning 13 of 19 Tests, including a 3-1 thrashing of India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. South Africa’s 9-2-1 record, with series wins over Pakistan, West Indies, and Bangladesh, showcased their grit. Their drawn series against India in 2023-24 proved they could hang with the best.

Final Thoughts: A Test Cricket Epic Unfolds

Day 1 of the Australia vs South Africa World Test Championship final delivered everything Test cricket fans crave: pace, drama, and heart-stopping moments. With South Africa teetering at 43-4 and Australia’s bowlers in full cry, Day 2 promises more fireworks. Will Bavuma’s men fight back, or will Cummins’ champions tighten their grip? Stay sharp with Ongoing Now 24