Temba Bavuma’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final was justified by fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. The defending champions were bowled out for 212 in their first innings at the Lord’s. Rabada took five wickets while Jansen got rid of three batters. When Steve Smith and Beau Webster added 79 runs, the Aussies thought of posting a big total but the dismissal of the former put the Aussies on the back foot.
The stand between Webster and Alex Carey didn’t last long despite the batters spending time in the middle. Smith accumulated 66 runs, with the help of 10 fours. On the other hand, Webster managed 72 runs, packed with 11 fours.
Meanwhile, Rabada claimed the wickets of Usman Khawaja (0), Cameron Green (4), Beau (72), Pat Cummins (1) and Mitchell Starc (1). Jansen got past the challenge of Marnus Labuschagne (17), Travis Head (11) and Nathan Lyon (0).
Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram, the two spinners, picked up one wicket each.