June 12, 2025 - The final match of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 is being played between South Africa and Australia. Wednesday (June 11) was the first day of the match. South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Australia’s first innings ended at 212 runs. Kagiso Rabada took 5 wickets, while Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith scored fifties. When South Africa came out to bat, they also had a poor start. By the end of the first day’s play, South Africa had scored 43 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Captain Bavuma and David Bedingham are at the crease.

South Africa’s Batting Response

In reply to Australia’s 212, South Africa started poorly. In the very first over, Mitchell Starc dismissed Markram for a duck. In the ninth over, Starc also sent back Ryan Rickelton, who scored 16. Next, captain Pat Cummins bowled Wiaan Mulder. Then Josh Hazlewood trapped Tristan Stubbs. At stumps, South Africa were 43 for 4. Bavuma and Bedingham remain at the crease and must build a big partnership - Australia lead by 169 runs.

Australia’s First Innings

Australia batted first under cloudy skies. Usman Khawaja fell for a duck at slip to Bedingham off Rabada’s bowling (6.3 overs). On the last ball of that over, Cameron Green edged Rabada and was caught by Markram for 4. Labuschagne (17) and Smith (51) put on a 30-run stand before Keshav Maharaj trapped the former. Maharaj also bowled Alex Carey next. Pat Cummins lasted only one over before Rabada dismissed him. The remaining tail could only add a few runs, leaving Australia all out for 212.

Fall of Wickets

• 1–12 (Khawaja, 6.3 ov)
• 2–16 (Green, 6.6 ov)
• 3–46 (Labuschagne, 18 ov)
• 4–67 (Head, 23.2 ov)
• 5–119 (Smith, 32.4 ov)
• 6–135 (Carey, 38.5 ov)
• 7–157 (Cummins, 44.3 ov)
• 8–161 (Webster, 46.1 ov)
• 9–180 (Lyon, 52.5 ov)
• 10–212 (Starc, 59 ov)

Match Details

• Venue: Lord’s, London (first time WTC final held here)
• Dates: June 11-15, 2025 (reserve day included)
• Toss (June 11): Temba Bavuma won and chose to bowl

Australia vs South Africa: Head-to-Head

• Total Tests: 101
• Australia wins: 54
• South Africa wins: 26
• Draws: 21

Record at Lord’s

• Australia (40 Tests): 18 wins, 7 losses, 15 draws
• South Africa (18 Tests): 6 wins, 8 losses, 4 draws

Playing XI

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood