Rabada floors Aus with fiery spell, SA stumble in reply
London, Jun 11 (UNI) Kagiso Rabada produced a blistering five-wicket haul as South Africa dismissed Australia for 212 before battling through a torrid final session to finish Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's on 43 for 4, trailing by 169 runs.
Rabada (5/51) and Marco Jansen (3/49) led South Africa's charge after skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to field in seaming, overcast conditions. Despite defiant knocks by Steven Smith (66) and Matt Webster (72), Australia lost their last six wickets for just 66 runs, collapsing in under 70 overs.
South Africa's reply, however, began in disarray as Mitchell Starc struck in the opening over. Aiden Markram was bowled for a duck, beaten by a sharp in-ducker that clipped his inside edge onto the stumps. Starc was soon in the thick of action again, removing the aggressive Ryan Rickelton (16 off 23) with a fuller delivery that swung late and caught the edge, with Usman Khawaja pouching a sharp catch at first slip.
Though Rickelton had looked positive with crisp strokes — including a sublime back-foot punch through cover and a straight drive off Josh Hazlewood — his shot selection eventually led to his downfall. He also punched a beautiful four down the ground early in his innings, but the start was short-lived.
Wiaan Mulder (6 off 44) survived a dropped chance early when Alex Carey fluffed a regulation catch, but couldn't make it count. His long vigil ended when Pat Cummins breached his defence with a fast, nipping delivery that shattered the stumps.
Tristan Stubbs (2) was another casualty, undone by Hazlewood's perfect length delivery that angled in and kissed the top of middle stump. The South African top-order, rocked at 30 for 4, looked completely out of depth against Australia's relentless seamers.
Captain Bavuma had a nervy stay at the crease, edging Pat Cummins just short of slip, before settling into survival mode. David Bedingham, meanwhile, kept calm under pressure and played two exquisite strokes to steady the Proteas late in the day.
In the 21st over, Bedingham punished an attempted yorker from Cummins, converting it into a lovely push down the ground for four. He then closed the day with another confident boundary through square leg off a full delivery on the pads, ensuring South Africa finished on a slightly steadier note.
There was also a stroke of fortune for Bedingham when a loud LBW appeal against him was turned down (20.3), with the ball deflecting off the knee roll to the fine leg boundary for four leg-byes.
Earlier, Rabada delivered a fiery and clinical spell of fast bowling, taking 5 for 51 to help bundle out Australia for 212. Backed ably by left-arm seamer Marco Jansen (3/49), Rabada led South Africa's pace attack after captain Bavuma opted to bowl first under overcast conditions — a decision that paid immediate dividends as wickets fell steadily throughout the innings.
Despite a fighting half-century from Smith and a fluent fifty from allrounder Webster, Australia never fully recovered from their early setbacks. The innings peaked at 146/4 before the second new ball and some inspired bowling saw the last six wickets tumble for just 66 runs. Part-timer Markram dismissed Smith with a clever delivery, while Webster's edge to first slip off Rabada after Tea triggered the collapse.
Lower-order batsmen Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc offered little resistance. Starc was bowled by a Rabada beauty to wrap up the innings, capping a memorable five-wicket haul for the pacer. Carey (23) fell to a reverse-sweep against Keshav Maharaj, and Labuschagne (17) was undone by Jansen's bounce. Rabada's early breakthroughs had already removed Cameron Green and Khawaja cheaply.
Though not among the wicket-takers, Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder played vital roles by maintaining relentless pressure through tight spells, ensuring that Australia never found momentum. The disciplined, collective bowling effort left South Africa in control at the end of Day 1.
Brief Scores: Australia 1st innings: 212 all out in 68.4 overs (Steven Smith 66, Matt Webster 72; Kagiso Rabada 5/51, Marco Jansen 3/49)
South Africa 1st innings: 43/4 in 22 overs (Ryan Rickelton 16; Mitchell Starc 2/10, Josh Hazlewood 1/10, Pat Cummins 1/14)
Fall of wickets: 0-1 (Markram), 19-2 (Rickelton), 25-3 (Mulder), 30-4 (Stubbs)
At Stumps: David Bedingham 8* (9), Temba Bavuma 3* (37)
Day 1: Stumps – South Africa trail by 169 runs
UNI BDN GNK
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Ashoka writes to NHRC over Chinnaswamy stampede
Bengaluru, Jun 12 (UNI) Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Thursday urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to take suo motu cognisance of the June 4 stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here, which left 11 people dead and 75 injured during the IPL victory celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In a letter addressed to NHRC Chairperson, Ashoka alleged gross negligence and administrative failure on the part of the state government, police, and event organisers. He described the incident as a 'grave human rights violation' and called for a comprehensive investigation to fix accountability. 'This is not merely an unfortunate accident—it reflects a systemic failure and blatant disregard for public safety. The fundamental right to life of the victims was violated,' Ashoka stated. The stampede occurred when thousands of people gathered near the stadium following social media messages and reports that entry to the celebration would be free. The turnout reportedly far exceeded the crowd-handling capacity of the area. Ashoka outlined five major lapses that he believes led to the tragic stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4. He pointed to overcrowding caused by misleading announcements and overselling of the event, which resulted in lakhs of people arriving at a venue meant to accommodate only 35,000. This, he alleged, was exacerbated by inadequate police deployment and a lack of basic crowd control measures. Ashoka further highlighted the absence of emergency services at the scene, with eyewitnesses reporting shortages of ambulances, medical aid, and even water. He accused RCB, the event management firm DNA, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) of failing to coordinate and implement essential safety protocols. The state government's delayed and inadequate response—despite registering FIRs and announcing a probe—was also criticised as insufficient and reactive. Calling the incident a grave human rights violation, Ashoka appealed to the NHRC to take suo motu cognisance of the tragedy. He sought a thorough investigation into the roles of all responsible parties, legal action against those found negligent, formulation of national guidelines for large public events, and active monitoring of the inquiry to ensure accountability and justice for the victims. 'This tragedy has shaken public confidence. It is imperative that justice be delivered and preventive steps be taken to ensure no family has to suffer such a loss again,' he wrote. The state government has not yet responded to the allegations made in the letter. The NHRC is yet to make a statement on whether it will take up the matter. UNI BDN SSP
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Pat Cummins scripts history with 6/28 in WTC final
Australia skipper Pat Cummins etched his name into the record books with a sensational spell of fast bowling, claiming 6/28 against South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on Thursday at Lord's. With this performance, Cummins not only helped Australia bowl out South Africa for a paltry 138, giving them a crucial 74-run first-innings lead, but also achieved multiple historic milestones. Cummins became only the eighth-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Test cricket, reaching the 300-wicket mark in just 68 matches. This feat also included his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Speaking after bundling the Proteas, Cummins reflected on the performance and the records, saying, ' It's great, got some family as well here, which is nice. Came out after lunch with them looking good and bowled well. Pretty happy to have a decent lead at the moment. It's way more than I could have asked for, for any fast bowler 300 is a big number, niggles, injuries and played for a long time, so pretty happy. When the ball is soft, it's easier to bat but it still feels like the odd ball is nipping, feel we bowled well.' In achieving this fifer, Cummins broke a 33-year-old record held by England's Bob Willis, who had the best bowling figures by a captain at Lord's with 6/101 against India in 1992. Cummins now holds that record with his 6/28, setting a new benchmark at the iconic venue. Moreover, Cummins created another unique record, becoming the only Aussie captain in fact, the only captain in general with a five-wicket haul in an ICC tournament knockout and final. Under his captaincy, Cummins has now claimed 15 wickets across ICC finals and knockout matches, highlighting his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Double bogey confidence boost helps Lawrence shine at Open
Not many golfers take confidence from a double bogey but that's exactly what Thriston Lawrence did to bolster himself in Thursday's first round of the US Open at Oakmont. The 28-year-old South African made a double bogey at the par-four ninth hole, dropping him to level par and wiping out his front-nine work. "What gave me confidence is looking at the leaderboard afterward on nine," Lawrence said. "When I made double, I saw I'm still top 10. That sort of made me just realize that you don't lose much when you make bogeys around this golf course." Lawrence followed with a 24-foot birdie putt at the 10th, a five-footer to birdie the par-five 12th and a four-footer for birdie at 17 to shoot a three-under 67 and sit in second place. "I'm playing well," Lawrence said. "I feel like I'm a great driver of the golf ball. I like to work it around." Lawrence played in two DP World Tour events rather than PGA Tour starts recently because he couldn't sort out logistical issues. "Got into Canada, but I couldn't get a Visa. South Africans have to apply 400 days in advance. So I had to apply before I got my card. Bit odd, that," Lawrence said. "I don't like missing events when I get opportunities, but that's the unfortunate thing of having a South African passport." Lawrence said he will always have space in his globetrotting schedule for the European circuit. "Just going back there, I need to play golf, I need to do what I do and work," he said. "In Belgium I finished fourth on a golf course that I know. I've played there two years before that. So that obviously gives you confidence. Here on the PGA Tour every single golf course is new. "If I manage to keep my card this year on the PGA Tour, next year I will feel like all golf courses are familiar. "I feel like I've adapted because I travel all around the world but it just doesn't always work as planned." Lawrence takes travel troubles in stride after 11 years as a pro golfer. "I'm quite of an introvert when it comes to traveling stuff," he said. "As a junior in South Africa you play 35 events, so even as an 8-, 9-year-old I was away every single weekend for golf tournaments. "Homesick, I mean, it's not nice. I would love to be home, but my girlfriend traveling with me, me and my caddie are good mates, my physio as well. So I've got a nice team and enough people to keep me entertained." For now he's making trips rather than basing out of one spot. "It's easy with AirBNB to just book somewhere and just go wherever you want and not get attached," he said. "It would be nice to get something, but I'm not yet sure where that is for now." js/rcw
