WTC final: Kagiso Rabada the destroyer! South Africa dominate as Australia fold for 212 at Lord's

Kagiso Rabada starred with the ball as South Africa bowled out Australia for 212 after tea on the opening day of the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Wednesday. The ace pacer finished with an excellent return of 5 for 51 in 15.4 overs — his second five-wicket haul at the historic venue.Rabada made early inroads, removing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in the same over to leave Australia reeling at 16 for 2, justifying skipper Temba Bavuma’s decision to bowl first in helpful overcast conditions.

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He later dismissed Australian captain Pat Cummins and the side’s top-scorer Beau Webster (72), before wrapping up the innings by bowling Mitchell Starc.Australia briefly steadied the ship through a 79-run fifth-wicket stand between Steve Smith and all-rounder Webster.

Smith contributed 66 before falling to part-time off-spinner Aiden Markram.Webster, who registered his second Test fifty, struck 11 boundaries in a fluent 92-ball knock before edging Rabada to slip. However, he had a lucky escape on eight when South Africa opted not to review a close lbw call off Rabada.South Africa are chasing their first major ICC title since winning the 1998 ICC Knockout — the precursor to the Champions Trophy.Meanwhile, defending champions and top-ranked Australia, who clinched the WTC title against India in 2023, have already enjoyed a successful run in white-ball cricket.