Australia vs South Africa, WTC Final 2025 Day 1 Highlights: 14 Wickets Fall On Day 1, Australia Lead By 169 Runs; Rabada Takes Five-Wicket Haul

Just how big is this win for South Africa? We told you their disappointments. But look at whom they have beaten. 1975. 1987. 1996. 1999. 2003. 2006. 2007. 2009. 2010. 2015. 2021. 2023. 2025. These are the years where Australia have featured in an ICC final - that's 13. And how many have they lost before this WTC final? Just the 3 - in  1975, 1996 and their last, was as long as 15 years back, in 2010 against England in the T20 World Cup. So one can understand why were the Aussies branded favourites because they just ramp it up in finals. However, South Africa matched them blow by blow and turn up as deserved winners. That's all we have for you from this WTC final. Hopefully, you enjoyed our coverage and we thank you for your company. Cricket does not end here, with India's tour of England being the next big thing coming up as the next segment of the WTC begins. Apart from that, there are a whole lot of international matches which you will find right here, by just surfing the tabs. Keep doing that and have fun. Until next time, ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Now, a word for the all-time greats of this generation. Khawaja. Smith. Cummins. Starc. Lyon. Hazlewood. A dream for any coach to have all of these players in one unit. They have had a lot of success over the years but just as all good things come to an end, so is this run. We don't think that these blokes would be around for the next ICC event, as we expect a plethora of retirements post the Ashes later this year. This will take time to sink in for Pat Cummins, who has lost his first final as a captain in ICC events. But Australia also need to work on their future and their upcoming series is a chance for that. They begin their next cycle against West Indies, in the Caribbean, on 25th June, 2025 and they will hope to find the next legends. They will do well to admit that they have the bowling but batting has been a concern for them, not just in this match but for over a decade now, with only Smith and Warner being the consistent run scorers for them. And as it turned out, it was the batters who let them down in a big final.

The South African players get together to lift the mace and pop go the confetti and the celebrations begin! The players take a tour around the park and thank the wonderful crowd, which is beside itself. What a wonderful run for South African cricket, across genders and across ages! But that is the thing with them - they are always there and about, but struggle to make it through the final hurdle. They have finally done it, after a long gap, winning an ICC trophy and will hope that this is the start of something big. Just like it was for India - winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Champions Trophy in 2025 - back-to-back ICC trophies. But harsh as it might be, there is no rest for them, because they head to Zimbabwe, for a proper tour, consisting of 2 Tests followed by a T20 triseries involving New Zealand. That tour kicks off from 28th June, 2025.

The victorious captain of South Africa, TEMBA BAVUMA, says its been a special couple of days he says they have prepared hard for this game and they came in with a lot of belief and they also had a few doubts and he is happy that they played well to get the win. He mentions that it’s a special moment for his  team, for his country and it feels great. He says they have been knocking on the doors for long, they have gone through a lot of heartbreaks, lot of disappointments and the sun has finally shined on them and he hopes this win is one of many. On Rabada, he says, Rabada in a couple of years might be in the ICC Hall of Fame, that’s how good he is. He adds that Rabada was motivated to do well, and he delivered. On Markram he tells it was an unbelievable innings and the character Markram carries is special and adds that Markram delivered in the most Markram way. He says that them as a team, got into the finals and there were doubters around them, that his team had gotten through to the finals through a weaker route and this was the best opportunity to show why they were in the finals. He ends the interview by saying that his country is in a way divided over a number of issues and this win he believes would unite the nation to celebrate together.

The skipper of Australia, PAT CUMMINS, reflects on the defeat and says that things can change quickly and admits it wasn't meant to be for them and was a bridge too far. Points that they didn't do a few things right. Admits that they didn't bat out the opposition after a decent lead in the first innings. Highlights that South Africa didn't give them a chance in the fourth innings. On being asked about the struggles in the top order, Cummins partially agrees to it and says guys have tried well in the last two years in this cycle. Says that the bowlers did very well in the first two days and they gave everything a chance. Appreciates the opposition by saying South Africa showed why they're here and calls them deserved winners, and also points that Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma didn't gave them any chance. Says he loves Test cricket and mentions that it was huge to make it to the final. Accepts that they didn't end up on the right side, but concludes by saying it's been a great week.

South Africa's AIDEN MARKRAM has been named the PLAYER OF THE FINAL, for his breathtaking 136 with the bat in the final innings. On asked about going to bat in the 2nd innings he says that it’s weird how things work out, he got a duck in the 1st innings and ultimately luck got on his side and it worked out well for him. He says Lord's is a place where every Test cricketer wants to play. He really feels happy that plenty of South African fans were here and it is one of the most special days. When asked about how he went about in the middle, he tells it’s about absorbing the pressure and it was about maximising the scoring options. On playing Lyon on that pitch, he says Lyon is one of the best in the world and it’s not easy to play him and he had a bit of banter with him. On Bavuma’s role and contribution, he tells that Bavuma has always led them from the front specially in this WTC cycle and his runs were absolutely crucial and his overall contribution has been unbelievable.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Next up, is Ryan Rickelton, who is caught by Kevin Pietersen. On the feeling on Day 3, Rickelton admits that walking out in the 4th innings, chasing 280 in a final, he was nervous but he also got the feeling that the wicket was easing out. Praises Aiden Markram for playing one of the greatest innings ever seen. Details that just the way Markram handeld the pressure and the magnitude of the situation, was special. On the message given by the coach this morning, Ryan says that he was outside, so missed the message, but says that the group was pretty confident what it needed to do. Detaols that the plan was to look after the first 10 overs where they knew, Australia will come hard at us and then the batters can do their job. Stresses that the guys are confident, there were a few nerves but is happy that the team got over the line.

Kagiso Rabada is up for a chat now, with Kevin Pietersen. Says he cannot describe his feeling at the moment. Reflects that they planned really well and worked really hard and feels they deserved to be in this position. Rubbishes people’s words of not facing tough opponents. Says they beat Australia and had to be in their A game. Thanks everyone for the support in the end and says it felt like a home game.

Shukri Conrad South African coach is now with Kevin Pietersen. He says he feels ecstatic for the boys and this win is for South Africa and for everything going around in the country, this win is for them. He tells that they got the best batting conditions and 282 was always going to be a big task but he feels with the two senior pros, in the form of Temba and Aiden putting on that kind of show, set the game for them. He says he was the one who said Temba shouldn’t continue yesterday, but he mentions that players know better than the coaches, and Temba and Markram didn’t agree with him and Temba went to bat with the injury and it paid off for his team.

It is now time to hear from the emotional Keshav Maharaj who has finally gathered himself up to have a chat with Graeme Smith. He begins by saying it is special and his tears won’t describe what he and his mates feel now. Adds it’s a privilege for them to be able to lift the title and to be a part of it. Appreciates the crowd and says without them, they probably wouldn’t have been in this position. He says he is grateful to each and every supporter and is thankful for everyone who is there to support South Africa. Adds they have stood strong through adversity and as a team they are here today to raise the trophy that has eluded them for a number of years. Appeals for the fans to support them and hopes that this is just the first stepping stone of greater things to come in the future.

Lungi Ngidi comes up for a chat with Kevin Pietersen. Ngidi says he is speechless right now and when asked about the spell where he got Steven Smith, he says the excitement factor kept him going and Smith is a great player and to get him out it just felt great. When asked about this win, he says it’s been a lot of hard work and the blood pressure is absolutely high and he still feels a bit speechless right now.

Marco Jansen is now up for a chat with Graeme Smith. Jansen says he doesn’t know what to say. Adds he was sitting in the gallery and was just praying and is proud that the boys have got the job done. Mentions that there were a lot of nerves and they were just cheering every single run being scored. On being asked about Markram’s knock, he says it was unbelievable. Says dreams are meant to be achieved and they will celebrate it for long.

Kyle Verreynne and David Bedingham are with Kevin Pietersen. Kyle says he feels relieved right now and today in the morning, he didn’t wanted to go to bat and he felt the most nervous ever as he went out to bat. Bedingham tells that Temba and Aiden, the way they went about their batting, they made the dressing room calm and it helped big time.  He adds that sun plays a massive factor and accordingly they got the best conditions to bat in the last innings but they will take it. Verreynne says it means a lot, and he says that the with the whole ground singing, and backing them, he feels a bit emotional right now. Bedingham says its been 27 years but he’s thankful that they got over the line and also thanks everyone who has watched the game from the stands.

There was probably no doubt in South Africa's talent to win this final. But there was always that C-word associated with them and one felt that if the Aussies got a couple of wickets quickly, they could put pressure on the Saffas. Cummins managed to get Bavuma early but Markram was defiant and batted almost till the end. David Bedingham once again showed his composure as he did not allow the pressure to get to him. Markram finished on a magnificent 136 while the skipper Bavuma was superb for his 66. Australia tried hard but just could not find any purchase. Starc picked p 3 wickets but he could have more wickets with better balls on the previous days.

It should have been a matter of 10 minutes or half an hour at max on Day 3 for the African bowlers but Australia' tail wagged. They batted the whole session with Mitchell Starc top-scoring with a fine unbeaten 58, taking Australia's lead to 281. Once again, Rabada picked up 4 wickets but this time, the out-of-form Lungi Ngidi surprised everyone as he broke through that Aussie middle order, claming 3 wickets in a marathon 9-over spell on Day 2. Once again, Australia were favourites and became even more so, when they got Ryan Rickelton in the third over and Wiaan Mulder also fairly cheaply. But then, an unexpected drop by Steve Smith of Temba Bavuma turned things around as the Kangaroos struggled to take even a single wicket post Mulder's dismissal. The Proteas did not give any chance after that and ended the day on 213/2, leaving just 69 runs for the final push.

Day 2 too, began well for the Team In Green. Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham got into a wonderful partnership, but just like the Aussies, they also collapsed, from 126/5 to 138 all out. Midas Cummins once again showed his magical touch when the others were down, claiming 6 scalps. At that stage, the critics were all over them like a rash, giving away the advantage and all that, but that anger from the outside turned into motivation for the players as they just blew the Aussies away in their second dig. Australia were 73/7 and down and out, before a late fightback between Carey and Starc took them to some sort of respect to 144/8 at Stumps on Day 2.

The Test could not have started any better for the Proteas, having the Aussies 67/4 at Lunch on Day 1 and although they let it slip in the second session, managed to bounce back to have Australia collapse from 192/5 to 212. Kagiso Rabada was the chirf enforcer, taking 5 wickets while Marco Jansen took 3 scalps. For the Aussies, it was the trusted experience of Steve Smith and the talent of Beau Webster to lead a rearguard action. However, towards the end of the day, the Aussies roared back to take 4 wickets of the Proteas to leave them reeling at 43/4 at Stumps.

And what about South Africa in this cycle alone? 9 wins and 3 losses in 14 games of this WTC cycle. 8th win on the trot under Temba Bavuma's captaincy. They started this cycle with a win against India, but followed it with 3 successive losses and a draw. At that stage, in mid 2024, things looked very bleak for them but the fighter Bavuma turned it around, winning 7 matches in a row to make it to the final, before taking the final one as well. They came very well prepared into this pitch and got almost everything in their favour - toss, conditions and the pitch. When they were bowling, barring the third day, it was overcast, while when they were batting, it was more or less sunny. But nothing to take anything from them who were exceptional.

South Africa achieve a three-peat over Australia, becoming a thorn in the Kangaroos' flesh. The Women did it in 2024, when South Africa knocked out defending champions Australia in the United Arab Emirates, in the semifinal of the Women's T20 World Cup. Then, in 2025, in Malaysia, the Under-19 Eves knocked out the Aussies, again in a semifinal. And here, the Big Boys have done it, in the final of the ICC World Test Championship. What an achievement.