Latest news with #WTC)Final
NDTV
a day ago
- Sport
- NDTV
1st Time In 145 Years: Australia vs SA WTC Final Witnesses Bizarre Event After Pacers' Show
The first day of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's was marked by some superlative bowling performances from both sides. For the Proteas, Kagiso Rabada picked a five-wicket haul while Marco Jansen took three as Australia were all out for 212. The Australian pacers breathed fire too in the final session as Mitchell Starc picked two wickets while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood got one each to reduce South Africa to 43/4 at stumps on Day 1. The WTC Final Day 1 was also witness to a bizarre first in 145 years, i.e., since the format was first played in England (1880, England vs Australia, The Oval). The WTC Final was the first instance in 561 Tests in England that the No.1 batter (according to batting order) from both sides were dismissed for 0 in their first innings of the game. On Wednesday, Australia's Usman Khawaja and South Africa's Aiden Markram were the two men. Hence, it became the first such instance in 145 years. Overall, it was the 10th time in Test history that such a thing has happened. Talking about the star of the day, Kagiso Rabada delivered a sensational performance, not only dismantling the opposition with a five-wicket haul but also etching his name deeper into South African cricket history. Rabada claimed figures of 5/51 in 15.4 overs, helping bowl Australia out for 212. His fiery spell was instrumental in shifting the momentum in South Africa's favour during a crucial phase of the match at Lord's. With this performance, Rabada surpassed legendary fast bowler Allan Donald in the list of South Africa's highest wicket-takers in Test cricket. The 30-year-old now has 332 wickets in 71 Tests, overtaking Donald's tally of 330 wickets in 72 matches. Rabada now sits fourth on the all-time list of South African Test wicket-takers. His five-wicket haul also earned him a rare spot in the record books. Rabada became only the second bowler to take a five-for in a WTC final, following New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson, who achieved the feat against India in the 2021 final. Additionally, Rabada became just the second South African bowler after Jacques Kallis, who took 5/30 in the ICC Knockout Trophy final in 1998, to register a five-wicket haul in the final of a major ICC tournament. Rabada's overall record in knockout matches at ICC events continues to impress. He now has 11 wickets in five such matches, at an excellent average of 19.27. His five-for at Lord's on Wednesday is now his best performance in an ICC knockout game, taking him to third on South Africa's all-time list of wicket-takers in ICC knockouts, behind Jacques Kallis (14), and tied with Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald (12 each). Lord's has been a happy hunting ground for Rabada. In just three Tests at the venue, he has now picked up 18 wickets at a staggering average of 16.83 and a strike rate of 30.2. With his performance against Australia, he also moved ahead of Morne Morkel (15 wickets) to become the South African with the most Test wickets at Lord's. Furthermore, he became only the third South African bowler to take multiple five-wicket hauls at the historic ground, joining the elite company of Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini.
India.com
2 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
Travis Head On The Brink Of Breaking Ajinkya Rahanes ‘THIS' WTC Final Record Against South Africa
Travis Head, who played a match-defining knock in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, is once again at the center of attention as Australia takes on South Africa in the WTC 2025 Final at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. The Australian left-hander is on the verge of breaking a notable record held by Indian veteran Ajinkya Rahane. As the much-anticipated final gets underway, South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first, putting Australia's top order, including Head, under the spotlight from the very beginning. With Australia batting first, all eyes are on Travis Head, who needs just 19 runs to surpass Rahane and become the leading run-scorer in WTC Finals history. For context, Ajinkya Rahane has scored a total of 199 runs in four innings across two WTC Finals, making him the top scorer in summit clashes of the tournament so far. Travis Head, on the other hand, has already notched up 181 runs in just two innings, including a sensational 163-run knock against India in the 2023 final. That innings not only led Australia to a commanding victory but also earned Head the Player of the Match award. Players with the most runs in the WTC Final Ajinkya Rahane 199 Travis Head 181 Steve Smith 155 Rohit Sharma 122 Virat Kohli 120 Now, with form, confidence, and the opportunity on his side, Travis Head is well-positioned to rewrite the record books. If he manages to score at least 19 runs in the ongoing final, he will cement his place as the most prolific batter in WTC Final history, a remarkable achievement in the highest format of the game. As the final unfolds at Lord's, cricket fans around the world will be watching closely to see if Head can rise to the occasion once more and etch his name in WTC history.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Hans India
WTC Final at Lord's: South Africa to Bowl First Against Australia
South Africa will bowl first in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at Lord's, London. After winning the toss, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma chose to send Australia to bat, confident that the cloudy conditions will favor his team's pace attack. Bavuma said the pitch looks good for cricket, but the overhead conditions make bowling first the smart choice. He expressed confidence in the team selected for these conditions and highlighted the strong support from fans, saying it promises to be a great spectacle. On the other side, Australia's captain Pat Cummins avoided discussing what he would have done if he won the toss, stating that his team is happy to bat first. Cummins praised the intense preparation over the past ten days, noting the competition among players for a spot in the final XI. He emphasized that the team feels ready and is focusing on enjoying the challenge without feeling extra pressure as defending champions. The WTC Final promises an exciting contest between South Africa and Australia, with both teams eager to claim the prestigious title at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground.
India.com
2 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
SA vs AUS WTC Final Live Cricket Score and Updates: Temba Bavumas South Africa or Pat Cummins Australia, Who Will Win The Final Battle?
SA vs AUS WTC Final 2025 Live: The stage is set for the biggest Test match in world cricket. Starting June 11, the World Test Championship (WTC) Final will be played at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground between defending champions Australia and a determined South African side. Australia, led by Pat Cummins, are chasing history. Already one of the most successful teams in cricket, they now aim to add another major trophy to their cabinet. For them, this is not just about winning it's about creating a legacy that will be remembered for generations. On the other hand, South Africa, under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, are chasing a long-awaited dream. It has been 27 years since they rejoined international cricket, and they are still waiting for a major ICC title. For this team, it's more than just a final it's a chance to prove that Test cricket still matters, that their journey has meaning, and that they are ready to make history. SA vs AUS Playing XI Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. South Africa Playing XI: Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Pat Cummins Reasons Behind Making Marnus Labuschagne Open In WTC Final: "One Spot Up..."
Australia captain Pat Cummins has backed Marnus Labuschagne to open the innings in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord's, a decision that marks a key shift in the team's top-order strategy. Cummins has selected Labuschagne to open the innings alongside Usman Khawaja, hoping the 30-year-old can be a long-term solution to the spot that has seen quite a few batters attempt to replace David Warner. Labuschagne, who has never opened in Test cricket, has just one Test century to his name since the end of 2022 and failed to make much of an impression in two matches for the County side Glamorgan earlier this month. "I think Cam Green, the last few weeks he's had, is coming back in great form, we thought he deserves a spot somewhere in the batting line-up. We thought three probably suited him best. And then, you know, with Marnus moving, we thought it's, you know, one spot up really. It's not too different from batting at three. He's done well here in England in the past. You know, all the boys have trained well. He, Sam ( Konstas), and Josh Inglis have all trained really well. But I thought the selectors went with Marnus's experience, (not only) here at Lord's, but in England in general," Cummins told reporters in London on Tuesday. The skipper further explained that while opening in English conditions presents unique challenges, it can also offer early scoring opportunities, especially before the Dukes ball starts to swing significantly. 'Opening the batting can be tough, but it can also be the best time to bat. There's an opportunity to score there,' he said. Labuschagne, the former World No.1 Test batter, will walk out alongside Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, with Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Beau Webster forming a solid middle order. Green returns to the Test side after recovering from back surgery, while Webster retains his spot to offer valuable all-round support, including part-time medium pace and spin. In the bowling department, Josh Hazlewood has been preferred over Scott Boland, a decision Cummins said was one of the toughest to make. 'There are some guys where you generally say you've done nothing wrong, don't change a thing, and that's Scott. He's just really unfortunate to miss out,' Cummins said, assuring that Boland remains an integral part of the setup going forward. Teenager Sam Konstas, who was in contention for a batting spot, has also been left out. But Cummins emphasised that the 19-year-old remains very much in Australia's long-term plans. 'Realistically, he's really young, he's got a long career ahead of him. Even by not playing, we hope to show him there are learning opportunities.' Listen to the latest songs, only on
