How Did Australia's Bowlers Dominate South Africa in WTC Final?

London, June 11 (NationPress) The fast bowlers from Australia showcased their exceptional precision, leaving South Africa in a precarious position at 43/4 after just 22 overs by the end of Day One of the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Wednesday. In a day marked by the fall of 14 wickets, Kagiso Rabada took 5-51 as Australia was dismissed for 212. The trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood made significant contributions in the final session, leaving South Africa trailing by 169 runs.

South Africa will need substantial performances from their captain Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham, who were not out at three and eight runs, respectively, to stage a comeback in the second innings. Australia, after being bowled out for 212, needed to respond effectively, and Starc set the tone in the opening over by dismissing Aiden Markram who inadvertently chopped onto his stumps.

Starc almost secured another wicket, but Alex Carey dropped a straightforward catch from Wiaan Mulder. However, just four overs later, Starc had his second wicket when Ryan Rickelton edged a drive to first slip. Mulder struggled at the crease, scoring merely six runs off 44 balls before Cummins clean bowled him.

Hazlewood then joined the wicket-takers with a well-placed delivery that knocked out Tristan Stubbs' top off-stump. Despite Bavuma finally scoring after 31 balls and Bedingham hitting a few boundaries to finish the day, Australia's formidable fast-bowling trio ensured that their total of 212 appeared formidable.

Earlier, Rabada displayed his rapid pace and accuracy, achieving a five-wicket haul in 15.4 overs, surpassing Allan Donald to claim the fourth position on South Africa's all-time wicket-takers list as he concluded Australia's innings in 56.4 overs. Australia started the third session at 190/5 in 50 overs, but Rabada finished the innings in just 36 minutes post-tea.

For Australia, Beau Webster was the top scorer with 72, while Steve Smith contributed 66. Rabada received support from Marco Jansen, who took 3-49, with Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram claiming one wicket each. In the post-tea session, Alex Carey quickly fell to a reverse-sweep attempt off Maharaj, resulting in his stumps being castled for 23.

Rabada then proceeded to dismiss Pat Cummins before having Webster edge to first slip. After Jansen bowled out Nathan Lyon, Rabada completed the innings by breaching Mitchell Starc's defenses, leading to an engaging day in the contest for the coveted title of the Ultimate Test.

Brief scores:

Australia 212 in 56.4 overs (Beau Webster 72, Steve Smith 66; Kagiso Rabada 5-51, Marco Jansen 3-49) leads South Africa 43/4 in 22 overs (Ryan Rickelton 16; Mitchell Starc 2-10, Josh Hazlewood 1-10) by 169 runs