Kagiso Rabada delivered a masterful bowling performance on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, returning with the figures of 5/51 in 15.4 overs. His incendiary spell enabled South Africa to dismiss the defending champions for a paltry 212 at Lord’s, handing his side initial charge in the high-stakes match.
Shattering Records: Rabada Overtakes Allan Donald
The five-wicket return was not only match-defining but also historic. Rabada surpassed legendary pacer Allan Donald’s record and became South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. He now has 332 wickets in 71 Tests, surpassing Donald’s 330 in 72 matches.
Rare WTC Milestone Achieved
Rabada’s performance presented him with a unique WTC final record he’s just the second bowler to have claimed a five wicket haul in a WTC Final. The first was New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson, who achieved it against India in 2021. Rabada’s performance is now among the highlights of bowling performances in WTC final history.
ICC Knockout Specialist
Respected for his pressure handling, Rabada has 11 wickets in five ICC knockout games with an excellent average of 19.27. His Wednesday spell at Lord’s was his career-best in an ICC final and takes him joint-third on South Africa’s list of knockout match wicket-takers along with Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald.
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Lord’s: A Hunting Ground For Rabada
Lord’s remains a ground where Rabada comes alive. He took 18 wickets in only three Tests at the iconic ground and has an average of 16.83. He has also beaten Morne Morkel’s record (15 wickets) to become South Africa’s top wicket-taker in Tests at Lord’s. Rabada also now belongs to the select group Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini with two five-wicket hauls at the ground.
