Australia Faces Pressure from South Africa in WTC Final 2025 Day 1

LONDON, June 11, 2025 – In a tense opening day of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 held at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground, Australia found themselves in a precarious position, managing only 104 runs for the loss of four wickets by the end of the first session. The South African bowling attack, spearheaded by Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, has put Australia under immense pressure, particularly targeting the Australian middle order.

The day began with South Africa winning the toss and opting to bowl first, a decision praised by former captain AB de Villiers, who remarked on the successful strategy of bowling in overcast conditions. “It was a bold decision from Temba Bavuma to bowl first, but it has paid off,” de Villiers stated during the lunch break. South Africa's strategy quickly bore fruit as they dismissed key Australian batters, including Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, within the first few overs.

As the match progressed, Steve Smith emerged as a beacon of hope for Australia, reaching a half-century amidst a flurry of wickets falling at the other end. His calm demeanor and experience at Lord’s, where he has previously averaged 58.88, provided a stark contrast to the struggles of his teammates. Smith’s fifty came off a solid stroke through the backward point region, illustrating his exceptional skill and adaptability under pressure.

Despite Smith’s efforts, Australia’s innings has been characterized by a series of fragile partnerships. Beau Webster, who joined Smith at the crease, struggled to find his footing against the relentless South African pace attack. With the match still in its early stages, the Australian side faces a daunting task to build a competitive total.

In the first session, Australia lost four crucial wickets, with Rabada and Jansen each taking two wickets. Rabada's dismissal of both Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green set the tone for the morning, while Jansen's crucial wicket of Travis Head just before lunch underscored the effectiveness of the South African bowlers. “The pitch is offering considerable bounce and swing, which has been advantageous for our pace attack,” Jansen noted post-match, highlighting the conditions that favored his team.

As the second session gets underway, Australia will look to regroup and rebuild their innings. Smith's presence at the crease will be vital, as he aims to anchor the Australian innings against a formidable bowling lineup that has already claimed four wickets. With both teams vying for the inaugural WTC title, the coming sessions will prove crucial in determining the outcome of this high-stakes contest.

The match’s significance extends beyond just the trophy; it represents a culmination of years of hard-fought battles in Test cricket, with both Australia and South Africa being historic rivals. Cricket analysts predict that the upcoming sessions will be pivotal, particularly for Australia, who are known for their resilience and ability to bounce back in challenging situations. As the sun sets over Lord's, the stage is set for a thrilling continuation of the WTC Final 2025, with both teams eager to claim victory and etch their names in cricket history.