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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Jun 12, 2025, 13:23:58 IST
Australia vs South Africa Live Score, ICC WTC Final 2025: Day 1 of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s belonged to the bowlers as Australia and South Africa exchanged blows in an intense, low-scoring start to the five-day clash. With overcast skies and a helpful pitch, 14 wickets tumbled for just 255 runs, but by stumps, it was Australia who had edged ahead in this high-stakes encounter.
After being sent in to bat, Australia slumped to 212 despite gritty knocks from Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66), the only batters all day to go past 23. South Africa’s bowling attack made full use of the seam-friendly conditions. Kagiso Rabada led the charge with a superb 5 for 51, while Marco Jansen chipped in with 3 for 49. Rabada’s mastery of the Lord’s slope was on full display, dismissing Usman Khawaja for a duck and debut No.3 Cameron Green in the same over.
But Australia’s response with the ball was even more decisive. Mitchell Starc removed both openers inside the first six overs, and Pat Cummins added two more to leave South Africa reeling at 43 for 4. Wiaan Mulder’s resistance ended on 6, and Tristan Stubbs managed just 2 before Hazlewood dismantled his stumps. Only Temba Bavuma (3* off 37) and David Bedingham (12*) offered some end-of-day resistance.
Australia’s lower-than-expected total now appears competitive, thanks to their potent pace trio. Starc’s swing, Hazlewood’s accuracy, and Cummins’ hostility exposed South Africa’s vulnerabilities under pressure. Webster, reflecting on the day, credited the bowlers: “We know if we don’t quite get it done with the bat, our bowlers will.”
South Africa, meanwhile, will reflect on a day of missed chances, including a dropped catch by Alex Carey that could have sent Mulder back even earlier. Bavuma’s decision to bowl first was justified by Rabada and Jansen’s early inroads, but now the onus lies on the batters to claw back into the match on Day 2.
As both teams look to assert dominance in this tight contest, Day 2 promises to be just as gripping. Can South Africa’s middle order stand firm? Or will Australia continue their charge towards defending the mace? All eyes remain on Lord’s.
AUS vs SA WTC Final Live Score: New opening pair struggles in testing conditions
Australia surprised everyone by opening with Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja.
Khawaja fell for a duck (his sixth time dismissed by Rabada in Tests), and Labuschagne, opening for the first time in a Test, managed just 17.
He spent 56 balls at the crease trying to settle in, but was finally caught behind off Jansen. The experiment didn’t quite work, and Australia were quickly under pressure.
Luckily for them, Smith and Webster stepped up. But going forward, they may need to rethink this new combo at the top.
WTC Final 2025 Live Score: Steve Smith and Webster stand tall in collapse
On a day where most Aussie batters struggled, Steve Smith and Beau Webster showed real class.
Smith made a composed 66, while Webster top-scored with 72. Their partnership helped Australia recover from 98/5 to 192 before a late collapse saw them lose 5 wickets for just 20 runs.
Their efforts gave Australia something to bowl at—and that “something” turned out to be gold, as the pacers ripped through the South African top order.
Without Smith and Webster’s resilience, this Test could’ve looked very different already.
Australia vs South Africa Live Score, WTC Final: Starc turns the game with ball on a string
Mitchell Starc came out fired up after Australia’s low total. In the very first over, he got Aiden Markram to chop onto his stumps for a duck.
Soon after, Ryan Rickelton was gone too, edging to the slips. Starc could’ve had three if not for a drop by Alex Carey.
But his impact was clear. He brought Australia right back into the game after a disappointing morning with the bat.
According to Beau Webster, “Starcy had the ball on a string.” South Africa, once in control, now find themselves under huge pressure.
AUS vs SA WTC Final Live Score: Rabada rips through Australia with classic five-fer
Kagiso Rabada once again proved why he’s world-class. Bowling with skill and aggression, he tore through Australia’s middle and lower order to finish with figures of 5/51.
His deadly wobble seam deliveries got rid of Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in the same over.
Even in the bright sunshine at Lord’s, he made the ball talk. This was Rabada’s second five-wicket haul at the iconic ground and a big moment for South Africa in their search for a major ICC trophy.
He set the tone perfectly – now it’s on the batters to back it up on Day 2.
WTC Final 2025 Live Score: Bowlers take charge as 14 wickets fall at Lord’s
Day 1 of the WTC Final at Lord’s was completely dominated by bowlers. Australia were bowled out for just 212 after Kagiso Rabada’s fiery spell earned him 5 wickets.
Marco Jansen supported him well with 3, as South Africa bundled out the defending champions with ruthless efficiency.
But Australia’s pacers weren’t ready to back down. Mitchell Starc struck twice early, while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood kept the pressure up.
By the end of the day, South Africa were 43/4 in 22 overs. A tough, gritty day of Test cricket where batters struggled, but the bowlers shone. South Africa now trail by 169 runs. Day 2 promises more action.
Hmmm... not sure the bowlers would agree to Webster's comments, aye? Still get the feeling that Australia are still 30-40 runs short and that collapse post Tea on Day 1 could end up haunting them. In fact, if we look at the final session alone, this is how it reads - 9/65 in 28.4 overs! There is still some movement on this pitch but it should lessen down as Day 2 settles in. South Africa have some batting to come but they just need to get some partnerships going, just like Australia did, from 67/4. Going by Stuart Broad's opinion, this pitch could get very difficult to bat come Day 4 as there would be plenty of turn and hence, the first innings lead could be very crucial. If the Proteas manage to bat for two sessions or more on Thursday, they will either make this a one-inning shootout or get ahead of the Aussies. It was all seamers on Day 1, but will the GOAT find something to chew come Thursday? The first ball on Day 2 will be bowled on 12th June, 2025, at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT) but our buildup will begin well in advance. Join us early then. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
BEAU WEBSTER, the top scorer for Australia in their first innings, is down for a chat. He starts by saying that he had a bit of luck in the first 20-30 balls, but managed to get through that period and they now have a score on the board. Mentions that he has played a bit of county cricket here but that's different and with Rabada and Jansen, it is different and hence, he tried to make a few adjustments. Adds that there's still a fair bit in the surface and for a while, Starc had the ball on a string and the others bowled well too. Reckons that they have had a solid bowling attack for years now and they knew if they faltered with the bat, they could still do the job with the ball.
It will be an understatement to say that South Africa will be disappointed with the way they have ended the day. They would have had around 25-26 overs to face and would have aimed to lose 1 or maximum 2 wickets by close of play. This is where there is a thin line of difference between being defensive and negative. The Proteas were correct in not wanting to take risks but they ended up in just shutting the door for even scoring runs. Against quality bowlers, especially against The Big Three, there might be a ball sooner or later which has your name on it and hence, it is important that you keep the scoreboard ticking. Not necessarily in boundaries but by rotating the strike. Mulder and Rickelton started that initially but soon went into a shell, allowing the Aussie bowlers to settle into a rhythm.
Australia would be fairly happy with their efforts. They have picked up 4 wickets but have crucially removed one experienced player in Aiden Markram. The other experienced batter in front of them would be Temba Bavuma, but now, that middle and lower middle order, although possesses names with good batting telent, certainly faces a question of inexperience. Mitchell Starc was on the money from the word go and bowled a marathon 7-over spell, where he could have easily got more than 2 wickets. Hazlewood and Cummins showed why they are called as The Big Three, putting a coin in the area between full and good, consistently hammering that area time and again. Each of The Big Three bowled 7 overs apiece with each striking at least once.
How critical could that drop of Wiaan Mulder be? He was on 1 and South Africa were in the 5th over, with the score reading 8/1. Mulder nicked one off behind, off Mitchell Starc, in his third over, but keeper Alex Carey shelled a fairly simple catch. Now, Mulder added only 5 more runs, but just imagine - Starc taking 2 wickets in his first 3 overs - could have become a repeat of the opening day of the 2005 Ashes Test where Glenn McGrath went on a rampage at Lord's. However, as fate would have it, Mulder and Rickelton saw off the shine of the new ball, albeit not scoring much and potentially wearing off the threat from the big Three.
What a day of Test cricket. Fittingly worth to be played in a final. 14 wickets have fallen in 78.4 overs, for 255 runs. It has been a day where ball has dominated the bat with South Africa striking early while Australia fought back towards the end of the day.
Score after
22
overs
43 - 4
- David Bedingham 8 (9)
- Temba Bavuma 3 (37)
Pat Cummins to David Bedingham, FOUR MORE! When you are in London, how can you avoid talking about the London buses? You wait for one for a long time and then suddenly, two come in quick succession. This is more of that sort. Given how the day has panned out, two anti-climatic balls from Cummins to end the day. A half volley, on middle and leg, David Bedingham flicks it through mid-wicket and ends the day with a boundary. STUMPS ON DAY 1, SOUTH AFRICA 43/4, TRAIL AUSTRALIA BY 169!
Pat Cummins to David Bedingham, FOUR! ELEGANT! But cannot blame Cummins here. He goes for the glory ball, a yorker or an inswinger, but misses his length and dishes out a full toss. A watchful Bedingham pushes it back down the ground through mid on and gets off the mark with a boundary.
Pat Cummins to David Bedingham, Ooohhh... full and straight, David Bedingham looks to play across the line and gets a leading edge. Lands short of short cover.
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Oops.. what happened there? Pat Cummins comes running in but then has to bail out. The camera than pans onto the stumps at the bowling end, which shows a bail on the ground. Did Cummins knock the stumps with his hand or foot and bail out, to avoid the no ball? Nope. The replay shows the bail falling on its own, well before Patrick could even reach the bowling crease.
Pat Cummins to David Bedingham, Goes a bit fuller and wider of the off stump line, gets it to shape further away, Bedingham leaves it alone.
Pat Cummins to David Bedingham, Hard length, in and around off, David Bedingham stays back and tentatively pushes it out into the off side.
Pat Cummins to Temba Bavuma, Temba Bavuma gets away with one here! Cummins bangs it in on a shortish length towards the body, Bavuma looks to flick but gets squared up and gets a leading edge that goes through the vacant cover-point region. The batters pick up a single and look for the second but turn back. The throw at the keeper's end is a wayward one and Marnus Labuschagne does really well to save what could have been four overthrows.
The slope from the Pavilion End has done it again. The slope moves from left to right and Hazlewood used it to good effect on the wicket delivery to Stubbs, as he bowled a nip backer that sharply seamed into the right hander and sneaked through the bat-pad gap of Tristan Stubbs to crash into the sticks. Should be the last over of the day. But it is not Lyon. It is Captain Courageous, Pat Cummins, who will bowl the final over of Day 1. 6-3-5-1 so far.
Score after
21
overs
34 - 4
- David Bedingham 0 (4)
- Temba Bavuma 2 (36)
Josh Hazlewood to David Bedingham, On a length, around off, cutting back in, defended down the track. A wicket maiden for Hazlewood, whose bowling figures read 7-3-10-1.
Josh Hazlewood to David Bedingham, A bumper, outside off, Bedingham pulls his bat out of the way, though it still dangles around like a periscope.
Josh Hazlewood to David Bedingham, Full and just outside off, David Bedingham gets half a stride forward to defend.
This could be close! Will Australia take the review? 'No, skip', says Carey, regarding the review.
Josh Hazlewood to David Bedingham, FOUR LEG BYES! More than half an appeal for LBW but it is turned down. Length ball on middle, slanting in and up the slope. David Bedingham with a slight shuffle to the off and he misses the flick. The ball ends up hitting the outside of the thigh pad and ends up rolling into the fine leg fence. It is not reviewed and rightly so, as Ball Tracking later on shows that the ball would have missed leg stump.
Surely, a nightwatchman now? Nope. David Bedingham strides out at number 6, replacing Tristan Stubbs as South Africa assert their confidence in their batters, not wanting to shield them or anything. Speaks volumes about the mental fortitude of the management and the players.
Josh Hazlewood to Tristan Stubbs, OUT! TIMBER! Just as Kevin Pietersen was about to answer Nasser Hussain's question on the strengths and weaknesses of Tristan Stubbs on-air, Josh Hazlewood sends him back to the pavilion. That is a lovely delivery from 'The Hoff.' Bowled on a three-quarter length and just around off, the ball angles in a touch, just enough to beat what looked like a perfect front-foot defense from Stubbs. The ball ends up hitting off and middle and Stubbs can't do anything but think that it is too good a ball.
Josh Hazlewood to Tristan Stubbs, Hard length, pitching it around the fifth stump line and gets some gentle outswing. Stubbs shoulders arms.
Not the type of over Lyon would have been hoping to bowl. With around 10 minutes to go for Stumps, he is going to bowl 3 or 4 overs at the most and he was mostly short in length in that over. Might be rustiness but this is where both, Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram did not give any let off to the Aussies. Were right on the money from the word go.
Score after
20
overs
30 - 3
- Temba Bavuma 2 (36)
- Tristan Stubbs 2 (11)
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, Shortish, outside off, punched towards short mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, Slightly fuller, outside off, but Bavuma is happy to block it from his crease.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, A touch short, outside off, spinning in, Temba Bavuma gets right behind the line to defend.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, Looking for a bit more overspin on that one, slightly full and dropping it onto off and middle, blocked off.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, Tossed up again, outside off and on a length. This one turns back in but Bavuma watchfully keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to Tristan Stubbs, Starts off with a tossed-up delivery, pretty full and on off, Tristan Stubbs leans on and strokes it through mid on for a single.
Spin time. Here comes the GOAT - Nathan Lyon. With the pitch slowing down, will Lyon be able to get turn in the dying moments of the day?
Score after
19
overs
29 - 3
- Temba Bavuma 2 (31)
- Tristan Stubbs 1 (10)
Josh Hazlewood to Temba Bavuma, The Lord's roars again as Temba Bavuma gets off the mark on his 31st delivery! Patience is virtue. They have waited and waited for him to get off the mark and have eventually got the chance to cheer. Around middle, a bit too straight, Temba tucks it behind square leg and rushes back for the second.
Josh Hazlewood to Temba Bavuma, On midde and off, Bavuma looks to defend but gets it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket, where Travis Head is stationed. Hint of swing again.
Josh Hazlewood to Temba Bavuma, Fine shot. For nothing. Full and straight, Temba Bavuma drives it straight back to where it came from. But there is not much timing and Pat Cummins slides across to his left from mid on to cut it off.
Josh Hazlewood to Temba Bavuma, BEAUTY! A smidge fuller, similar to the last one. This is angled in towards the stumps, but it pitches and nips away sharply. Bavuma looks to block down the line but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.
Josh Hazlewood to Temba Bavuma, A hint of swing there! On the fuller side, angled into off but this one nips away, Temba Bavuma gets half a stride in and blocks it off.
Josh Hazlewood to Temba Bavuma, Back of a length, over off, Bavuma taps it down towards cover.
Nasser Hussain on air made a great point in the 1st innings, about how bowling from the Pavilion End with the slope flowing from left to right might just make it difficult for the ball to carry towards the slip cordon when right-handers are batting. With two right-handers at the crease, possibly the Aussies can think of getting the slip cordon just half a step ahead for bowlers operating from the Pavilion End.
Score after
18
overs
27 - 3
- Tristan Stubbs 1 (10)
- Temba Bavuma 0 (25)
Pat Cummins to Tristan Stubbs, Outside off, pushed towards point. 8th maiden in 18 overs.
Pat Cummins to Tristan Stubbs, Full, around off, defended back to the bowler.
Just for the record, we are into extended time. Play can go on till 10.30 pm IST (5 pm GMT). We are still around 13 overs away from making it 90 for the day. So by this pace, we could end up being roughly 9-10 overs short at Stumps.
Pat Cummins to Tristan Stubbs, Edged, does not carry again! Another instance of the pitch slowing down. Around off, Stubbs goes fishing and gets a thick outside edge. Lands short of Beau Webster at third slip.
Pat Cummins to Tristan Stubbs, Good-length delivery, wide outside off and swinging away a bit, left alone by Stubbs.
Pat Cummins to Tristan Stubbs, Cummins hurls this one on a hard length around off and angles it in, Stubbs stays back and jams this one out onto the deck.
Pat Cummins to Tristan Stubbs, Fuller in length and around off, Tristan Stubbs gets well forward and solidly blocks it off.
Score after
17
overs
27 - 3
- Temba Bavuma 0 (25)
- Tristan Stubbs 1 (4)
Josh Hazlewood to Temba Bavuma, This time, Temba gets his feet right to the pitch of the ball and pushes it straight to cover.
Australia vs South Africa Live Score, ICC WTC Final 2025: Australia staged a spirited fightback on Day 1 of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, recovering from a top-order collapse to seize the upper hand against South Africa. On a testing day for batters, Kagiso Rabada’s brilliant 5 for 51 and Marco Jansen’s 3 for 49 helped bowl out the Aussies for just 212, losing their last five wickets for 20 runs. However, the defending champions responded with venom, reducing South Africa to 43 for 4 by stumps.
Mitchell Starc struck early, removing both openers, while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood tightened the screws. Only Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66) managed to pass 23 runs in the entire day, highlighting the difficulty of the pitch and the class of their innings.
Temba Bavuma (3* off 37) and David Bedingham (batting on 12*) will resume South Africa’s innings on Day 2, trailing by 169 runs. With 14 wickets falling on the opening day, both teams know the importance of every run and wicket in what is shaping up to be a classic low-scoring Test. Australia, despite a shaky start, have edged ahead — thanks to their relentless pace battery.
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