Australia were bowled out for 212 runs in their first innings of the ICC World Test Championship Final, but South Africa’s response faltered as they lost four wickets for just 43 runs by the end of day one.
South Africa now requires 169 more runs to level the first-innings deficit, with only six wickets in hand.
South African captain won the toss at Lord’s and elected to field first—a decision that initially paid off. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen spearheaded the attack, taking regular wickets.
After Australia slumped to 67-4, Steve Smith and Matt Renshaw steadied the innings. Smith scored 66 runs, while Webster added 72. Alex Carey contributed 23 runs before the team was dismissed for 212.
Rabada led the bowling with five wickets, while Jansen claimed three.
In reply, South Africa got off to a poor start, losing a wicket in the opening over and finishing the day at 43-4. Captain Temba Bavuma remained not out on 3, and David Bedingham was unbeaten on 8.
For Australia, Mitchell Starc took two wickets, while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood picked up one each.
