Bowlers Dominate Day One At Lord's
Author: Tom Penn
Updated At:
Five days have been allocated for this 2023-2025 World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia, but after 14 wickets fell on day one, we might not even need three full days!
After winning the toss and inserting the Australians, South Africa skittled the Aussies for 212 from 56.4 overs and looked to be in pole position.
However, this and every previous incarnation of Australia do not give up easily and in scenes reminiscent of day one of the 2005 Ashes, we saw those in Baggy Green fighting back and they had the Proteas at 43/4 at the close.
South Africa trail by 169 runs at the end of Wednesday, so what can we expect on day two?
Another 14 wickets to fall on Thursday?
If we were to see another 14 wickets fall on day two of this World Test Championship final then Australia would find themselves eight wickets down in their second innings and the match would surely be heading towards a finish before lunch on day three!
Batting was tough on Wednesday with only Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) hitting half-centuries across both innings, despite some beautiful weather in north London.
Bowlers were on top for most of the day, most of all after tea where nine wickets fell!
| Bowler | Figures |
| Kagiso Rabada | 5/51 |
| Marco Jansen | 3/49 |
| Mitchell Starc | 2/10 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 1/10 |
| Pat Cummins | 1/14 |
Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram both took a wicket each for South Africa but they were the only spinners to get a dismissal across the day.
Nathan Lyon will no doubt be looking to get in the wickets on Thursday, as will Beau Webster who impressed with the bat, but the 'Holy Trinity' of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and skipper Pat Cummins will not want to take any time out of the attack!
A South Africa Fightback?
Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs have all been to the middle and returned after being dismissed but South Africa will have their skipper Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham at the crease for the first ball on Thursday.
Bavuma had an excellent World Test Championship cycle for South Africa and has scored four centuries along with 24 half-centuries at this level. Bedingham is a relative newcomer to Test cricket but he has plenty of experience in England with Durham and has hit 25 hundreds across his first class career (average 50.28).
With six wickets remaining, the next three partnerships will be crucial to South Africa's chances and so the morning session will be critical.
Can South Africa get to lunch without losing a wicket and with the deficit down into double-figures? Or will Australia impose themselves again and begin the third innings of the match with a 100+ run lead?
It promises to be another fascinating day of bat versus ball at the Home of Cricket!
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