WTC final: Five-star Kagiso Rabada goes past Allan Donald, rattles Australia at Lord's
Kagiso Rabada showed why he remains one of the finest fast bowlers in world cricket, stepping up for South Africa in their maiden World Test Championship final against Australia. Rabada led a spirited bowling performance on Day 1 after captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bowl on an overcast morning at Lord's, London.Rabada became only the second bowler after Kyle Jamieson in 2021 to claim a five-wicket haul in a World Test Championship final, as Australia were dismissed for just 212 in under 60 overs. He returned impressive figures of 5 for 51, well supported by fellow pacer Marco Jansen, who picked up three wickets.advertisement| WTC final, Day 1 Updates |
Rabada also surpassed the legendary Allan Donald on the list of South Africa's highest wicket-taking bowlers in Test cricket. He now ranks as the fourth-most successful Proteas pacer, behind only Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock, and Makhaya Ntini.CAUGHT & Webster departs! #BeauWebster's resistance is broken! #KagisoRabada gets the breakthrough and he now moves up to No. 4 on South Africa's all-time Test wicket-takers list!LIVE NOW https://t.co/9lZGHcdMLn #WTCFinal | #SAvAUS, Day 1, watch LIVE on Star Sports pic.twitter.com/jxFTAtcr2f— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 11, 2025MOST TEST WICKETS FOR SOUTH AFRICA 1. Dale Steyn - 439 in 93 matches2. Shaun Pollock - 421 in 108 matches3. Makhaya Ntini - 390 in 101 matches4. Kagiso Rabada - 332* in 71 matches5. Allan Donald - 330 in 72 matchesadvertisementIt was a sensational effort from Rabada as he dispelled doubts over his form and mental health after having returned from a drug ban. Rabada served a month-long suspension, missing matches for Gujarat Titans in the IPL after acknowledging the use of recreational drug in January.Rabada and South Africa appeared to have moved on from that controversy. The senior pacer was on the mark from the word go, getting the big wickets of Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in the same over. Rabada troubled Khawaja throughout his 20-ball stay before getting the left-hander caught at slips for 0.Cameron Green, who was batting at No. 3 after his return from a long injury layoff, got a pearler -- a delivery that pitched in line and left the right-hander late.Rabada kept the pressure on Australia throughout the first and second session even as Steve Smith was leading Australia's recovery. South Africa took four wickets in the first session, but only one came in the second.However, Rabada led the bowling charge in the final session, getting the big wicket of Beau Webster, who was looking to hang around with the tail and score big. Rabada got Webster for 72 before cleaning up the tail with the wickets of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
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