The World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa kicked off on June 11, 2025, at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, setting the stage for a gripping contest between two of the sport's elite teams. South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, won the toss and made the bold decision to field first under overcast skies, a call that immediately put Australia on the back foot.
Australia's batting lineup saw a notable change with Marnus Labuschagne opening the innings for the first time in his Test career, moving up from his usual number three position. This adjustment came as Cameron Green returned to the side at number three after recovering from back surgery, while all-rounder Beau Webster retained his spot at number six. Josh Hazlewood was selected over Scott Boland to bolster Australia’s pace attack alongside Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon. South Africa, meanwhile, fielded a strong bowling unit featuring Kagiso Rabada, returning from a one-month ban, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, and Keshav Maharaj.
The opening session was dominated by South Africa's pace attack, with Rabada leading the charge. He dismissed Usman Khawaja for a duck after a disciplined 20-ball vigil, repeatedly testing the outside edge before inducing a nick to second slip where David Bedingham took a sharp catch. Rabada then struck again in the same over, removing Cameron Green, who scored 4 runs, caught brilliantly by Aiden Markram at second slip. Rabada’s early spell was a masterclass in precision, conceding just nine runs in six overs and unsettling the Australian top order.
Labuschagne, promoted to opener, showed patience and resilience, scoring 17 runs off 56 balls before falling to Marco Jansen, who bowled a full delivery that the right-hander edged behind to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. Travis Head added 11 runs but was also dismissed by Jansen, caught by Verreynne, ending the painful early session for Australia. By lunch, Australia was reeling at 67 for four, with Steve Smith unbeaten on 26, trying to steady the innings.
After tea, Smith and Beau Webster forged a crucial partnership, lifting Australia to 190 for five. Smith contributed a solid 66 runs, displaying his trademark composure and stroke play, while Webster impressed with a well-crafted 72. However, the innings suffered a dramatic collapse in the final session, losing five wickets for just 22 runs. Kagiso Rabada was the architect of this late surge, finishing with impressive figures of 5 for 51, surpassing Allan Donald’s tally to become the fourth-highest wicket-taker for South Africa in Tests with 332 wickets.
Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood also made vital contributions with the ball. Cummins clean bowled Wiaan Mulder, who had battled hard for 6 runs off 44 balls, and Hazlewood castled Tristan Stubbs for 2 runs late in the day. Mitchell Starc, known for his knack of striking early, dismissed both openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, who scored 0 and 16 respectively, in the first over of South Africa's innings. Starc finished with 2 wickets for 10 runs in 7 overs, while Hazlewood and Cummins took 1 wicket each, maintaining tight control and pressure.
South Africa’s response at stumps was cautious but promising. After 22 overs, they were 4 for 34, with captain Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 3 runs from 37 balls, and David Bedingham 8 not out off 9 balls. The pitch at Lord's, under the lingering cloud cover, continued to offer assistance to the bowlers, making scoring difficult and the contest intense.
The day’s play highlighted the strategic depth and skill of both sides. Australia's gamble to promote Labuschagne to opener had mixed results; while he showed grit, the early wickets exposed vulnerabilities, particularly against Rabada and Jansen’s disciplined bowling. South Africa’s bowling attack, tactically enhanced by the inclusion of Lungi Ngidi over Dane Paterson for his height and pace, complemented the seamers well, creating a formidable challenge for the Australian batsmen.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence in Labuschagne's move up the order, stating, "With Marnus moving, we thought it's one spot up really. It's not too different to batting three. Marnus has experience, he has done well here at Lord's and in England in general." This tactical shift reflects Australia's commitment to adapting their lineup to the conditions and opposition.
South Africa, on the other hand, are chasing their first senior global title after a string of near-misses, including a heartbreaking defeat in the 2024 men's T20 World Cup final. Their route to the final has sparked debate due to the fewer Tests played compared to other top nations, but their performance so far at Lord's suggests they are ready to seize the opportunity and silence critics.
The World Test Championship final carries significant stakes beyond pride. The winning team will take home a substantial prize of USD $3.6 million, more than double the amount awarded in previous finals, while the runners-up will receive USD $2.16 million. This financial incentive adds another layer of intensity to an already high-pressure encounter.
As the sun sets over Lord's, the battle lines are clearly drawn. Australia's total of 212, while modest, has been bolstered by disciplined bowling to keep South Africa in check. The Proteas’ cautious start to their innings leaves the contest finely poised, with both teams poised to deliver a thrilling Test showdown over the next four days.
The first day of the World Test Championship final has delivered drama, skill, and strategic nuance, setting the stage for a memorable cricketing spectacle. Fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting day two, where the momentum could swing decisively in either direction as South Africa looks to build on their promising start and Australia aims to defend their title in this pinnacle event of the Test calendar.
