WTC Final: AUS post 67 for 4 at lunch; Rabada, Jansen shine with two scalps each
A fiery opening spell from Kagiso Rabada set the tone for South Africa in the ongoing WTC Final against Australia, as the pacer’s brilliance triggered a top-order collapse that saw Australia lose four quick wickets in a dramatic first session on Day 1.
At the stroke of lunch, Australia are 67 runs for the loss of four wickets in 23.2 overs, with premier batsman Steve Smith still remaining unbeaten on 26 runs at the time of writing.
Earlier, South Africa`s skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bowl first. Facing 20 deliveries, Australia`s traditional opening batsman, Usman Khawaja, failed to open his account. Fellow opener, Marnus Labuschagne, scored 17 runs off 56 deliveries, including a boundary.
Coming after an injury layoff, Cameron Green fell short in putting on an impressive show with the willow in the first session of Day 1. Facing three balls, the right-hander was able to score just four runs, which came after smashing a boundary.
Smith is still at the crease alongside swashbuckling Travis Head. The left-hander has scored 11 runs off 13 deliveries, including a boundary. Earlier in the day, Smith was with Marnus Labuschagne at the crease. The duo started to build a partnership, taking on South African bowlers well, who also had their moments. Smith got some boundaries against pace, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
South Africa`s pacer Marco Jansen joined Rabada in the party as the duo claimed two wickets each. Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder continue their hunt for the first scalp.
In the seventh over, Rabada dealt Aussies a huge blow as he cleaned up Khawaja, the team`s top run-getter in this WTC cycle. A thick edge off his bat went into the hands of David Bedingham at slips. Australia was 12/1 in 6.3 overs.
World Test Championship (WTC) Final: Playing XIs
South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma(c), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne(w), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
(With ANI Inputs)
