WTC Final: History (*145*) after 145 years at Lord’s as Australia and South Africa share rare record | Cricket News

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

The opening day of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s delivered excessive drama, distinctive bowling, and a historic statistical anomaly. Kagiso Rabada stole the present with an excellent five-wicket haul, serving to South Africa bowl out Australia for simply 212. Marco Jansen offered robust assist with three wickets. But Australia fought again arduous within the closing session. Mitchell Starc led their cost with two wickets, whereas Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with one every to go away South Africa struggling at 43 for 4 at stumps. Day 1 additionally produced a weird second by no means seen in 145 years of Test cricket in England. For the primary time in 561 Tests on English soil, each groups’ No. 1 batters have been dismissed for zero within the first innings. Australia’s Usman Khawaja and South Africa’s Aiden Markram have been the unlucky pair.

Rabada’s spell of 5 for 51 in 15.4 overs not solely swung momentum in South Africa’s favour but in addition elevated his place within the historical past books. The 30-year-old overtook Allan Donald’s tally of 330 Test wickets, reaching 332 in 71 matches, changing into South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker within the format.Quiz: Who’s that IPL participant? Rabada grew to become simply the second bowler after Kyle Jamieson (2021 closing vs India) to take a five-for in a WTC Final. He’s additionally the one South African after Jacques Kallis (1998 ICC Knockout Trophy closing) to take action in an ICC event closing. With 11 wickets in 5 ICC knockout matches at a mean of 19.27, Rabada now sits third amongst South African wicket-takers in such video games, tied with Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald, and behind Jacques Kallis (14).