Introduction: A Dramatic Start to the ICC World Test Championship Final
The ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 began in sensational fashion at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, where bowlers from both teams dominated proceedings on the first day. In a gripping display of seam and swing bowling, a staggering 14 wickets fell within just 78.4 overs, leaving fans and analysts stunned.
With Australia bowled out for 212 in their first innings and South Africa struggling at 43 for 4 by stumps, the opening day has set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable Test match.
Toss and Strategy: South Africa Opts to Bowl First
The day began with South African captain Temba Bavuma winning the toss and electing to field first, a decision that raised a few eyebrows considering the significance of the final. However, overcast conditions and a green pitch at Lord’s offered substantial assistance to the bowlers, a factor Bavuma hoped to exploit early.
The move paid off handsomely, as South Africa’s fast bowlers ripped through Australia’s top and middle order with clinical precision, reducing them to a modest total before tea.
Australia’s First Innings Collapse: Batting Falters Against Fierce Bowling
Despite being a batting-heavy side on paper, Australia failed to capitalize on the start, succumbing to high-quality seam bowling and making some poor shot selections.
Key Australian Batting Contributions: Smith and Webster Fight Back
- Usman Khawaja: Departed for a duck, falling victim to Kagiso Rabada early.
- Marnus Labuschagne: Looked composed before edging one to slip for 17.
- Cameron Green: Dismissed for just 4, unable to handle the bounce.
- Travis Head: Never settled and fell for 11.
- Beau Webster: The standout performer, scoring a fighting 72 off 98 balls, showing good footwork and resilience.
- Steve Smith: Brought his experience into play, anchoring the innings with a well-crafted 66, his partnership with Webster giving Australia a semblance of stability.
- Alex Carey: Chipped in with a useful 23 before falling to spin.
- Tail-end collapse: The last four batsmen added a mere 8 runs. Both Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were dismissed cheaply for 1, while Nathan Lyon fell without scoring.
In total, six Australian batsmen failed to reach double figures, exposing the vulnerability of the lineup under pressure in swinging English conditions.
South African Bowling Attack Shines
South Africa’s bowlers were on point from the very first over, with Kagiso Rabada leading the charge.
Kagiso Rabada – The Star of the Day
Rabada delivered a devastating spell, finishing with figures of 5 for 48 in 15 overs. His control, movement off the pitch, and aggressive line left the Australian batters guessing throughout.
Supporting Cast
- Marco Jansen: Bowled with great discipline, capturing 3 for 51, providing crucial breakthroughs especially in the middle order.
- Aiden Markram: Chipped in with a key wicket, showing his usefulness as a part-time spinner.
- Keshav Maharaj: Picked up the wicket of Alex Carey with a smartly tossed-up delivery.
Their collective effort helped restrict Australia to a relatively modest 212 all out in 56.4 overs, giving South Africa an edge at the halfway point of Day One.
South Africa’s Response: Early Collapse in Tough Conditions
If South Africa hoped to build a solid foundation in reply, those dreams were quickly dashed by a fiery Australian pace attack. By stumps, they found themselves reeling at 43 for 4, still 169 runs behind Australia’s first innings total.
Key Dismissals in South Africa’s Top Order
- Ryan Rickelton: Out for 16, offering a faint edge to the keeper.
- Wayne Mulder: Bowled for 6 by a beautiful inswinger from Mitchell Starc.
- Tristan Stubbs and Aiden Markram: Both fell for ducks in quick succession, unable to handle the relentless pace and movement.
- Temba Bavuma: Departed shortly before stumps for 3, increasing the pressure on South Africa.
Resilience from the Lower Order
- David Bedingham: Remained unbeaten on 8 at the close of play, showing determination to anchor the innings.
- The rest of the South African lineup will need to rally around him on Day Two if they hope to avoid conceding a significant first-innings lead.
Australia’s Bowlers Bite Back
Australia’s pace trio—Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood—hit their rhythm right from the start.
- Mitchell Starc: Claimed 2 key wickets, making full use of the late afternoon conditions.
- Pat Cummins: The captain led by example with 1 wicket, bowling tight lines and maintaining pressure.
- Josh Hazlewood: Provided the early breakthrough with a clever short ball strategy.
Their combined effort ensured that Australia ended the day on top, despite an underwhelming batting performance.
Match Context: What’s at Stake in the WTC Final
The ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 is the culmination of a two-year-long cycle featuring the top Test-playing nations. Both Australia and South Africa earned their spots after strong performances during the league stage.
- Australia: Entered the final after topping the WTC points table, riding high on consistent Test series wins.
- South Africa: Clinched the second spot after impressive home performances and a crucial away victory against New Zealand.
The winner of this match will be crowned World Test Champions, a title that has gained significant prestige since its inception in 2021.
Historical Rivalry and Test Championship Records
Australia vs South Africa in Test Cricket
- Australia and South Africa share a long-standing and competitive Test history.
- Australia holds a slight edge in head-to-head matches, but South Africa has performed strongly in recent encounters.
- Their last Test series in 2023 was evenly contested, adding further excitement to this final clash.
Previous World Test Championship Final
- The inaugural WTC final in 2021 saw New Zealand defeat India at the Rose Bowl, Southampton.
- Australia lost to India in the 2023 final at The Oval, making this their third straight appearance in the WTC final.
- South Africa is making its first appearance in a WTC final, adding further motivation to claim their maiden title.
Looking Ahead: Day Two Could Be Crucial
With the pitch still offering plenty of assistance to the bowlers, Day Two is likely to be decisive in shaping the outcome of the match. South Africa will need a strong middle and lower-order showing to close the gap, while Australia will aim to wrap up the innings quickly and set a substantial second-innings target.
The contest remains finely poised, and fans can expect another day of riveting Test cricket as two elite sides battle for the WTC crown.
Conclusion: A Day for the Bowlers, A Match for the Ages
The first day of the World Test Championship Final 2025 was a reminder of why Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the sport. With 14 wickets falling in under 80 overs, the match is already delivering high drama, strategic battles, and world-class performances.
As both sides prepare for Day Two, one thing is certain—this WTC Final at Lord’s is shaping up to be a classic.
