Kagiso Rabada starred on the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s, claiming 5 for 51 to pass Allan Donald on South Africa’s all-time Test wicket list and bring up his 17th five-wicket haul.
The pace ace helped dismiss Australia for 212, but South Africa’s top order faltered in reply, slumping to 43 for 4 by stumps. Despite the early advantage swinging back to the defending champions, Rabada remains optimistic.
“At 40 for four, it’s not the start we were looking for but there is still a lot of cricket to be played,” said Rabada. “With this ball getting older, hopefully we can score some runs.”
Rabada makes history, passes Donald’s 330 wickets
Rabada moved into fourth on South Africa’s Test wicket tally with 332 dismissals, overtaking fast-bowling legend Allan Donald. Only Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, and Dale Steyn remain ahead of him.
“To be in that list is something special,” Rabada reflected. “All you do is try and improve and win games for South Africa.”
Key spells and missed chances on Day 1
Rabada struck twice in his fourth over, removing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green, before sealing the innings with the wickets of Pat Cummins, Beau Webster, and Nathan Lyon after tea.
However, South Africa missed a key opportunity by not reviewing a strong lbw appeal against Webster, who was on 8 at the time. He went on to top-score with 72. “It was a bit annoying,” Rabada said. “Cricket is a funny game and sometimes that is the way the cookie crumbles.”
Off-field controversy and personal redemption
Rabada’s build-up to the final was clouded by a one-month suspension following a positive test for a recreational drug. Still, the fast bowler has let his performance do the talking.
“It wasn’t my best moment, but life moves on,” he said. “Every game I play for South Africa, I try and do my best.”
Looking ahead: South Africa’s challenge continues
Despite ending the day on the back foot, Rabada emphasized there is plenty of cricket left. “It’s Test cricket, there are always nerves. But if you focus on the basics—line and length for a bowler, and shot selection for a batter—everything else is just noise.”
As the WTC Final progresses, South Africa will look to capitalize on Rabada’s heroics and bounce back with the bat to level the contest.
