Australia vs South Africa: ICC chair Jay Shah gives WTC Final 2025 perfect start - 'A privilege to ring the bell'
NEW DELHI: The 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final got a fitting and ceremonial start as ICC chair
rang the iconic bell at Lord's on Wednesday.
Calling it a "privilege," Shah took to the social media platform X to express his honour, writing: "A privilege to ring the bell at the historic Lord's ground before the start of play on day one of the @icc World Test Championship final between @ProteasMenCSA and @CricketAus.
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The bell ringing at Lord's, a tradition that marks the beginning of play each day, took on extra significance this time as it signalled the start of cricket's ultimate Test battle, Australia vs South Africa in a highly anticipated final.
On the field, South Africa seized the early advantage after skipper Temba Bavuma elected to bowl under overcast skies. The Proteas' pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, struck in quick succession to reduce Australia to 67/4 at lunch on Day One.
The ball moved prodigiously, and the South African bowlers stuck to disciplined lines and lengths throughout the morning session.
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Rabada was especially lethal, dismissing Usman Khawaja for a duck and Cameron Green cheaply in the same over. Jansen backed it up by removing Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head, the latter falling to a faint edge down the leg side moments before the break.
Though Steve Smith held firm with a composed 26 not out, the Proteas' relentless pressure meant Australia were firmly on the back foot by lunch.
As cricket's most prestigious Test match unfolds at the 'Home of Cricket,' the combination of rich tradition, fierce competition, and a symbolic start by the ICC Chair has ensured the WTC Final 2025 is off to a memorable beginning.
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