Kagiso Rabada showcased a masterclass in bowling during Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, delivering figures of 5/51 in 15.4 overs against Australia. His outstanding spell helped South Africa to dismiss the defending champions for a paltry 212 at Lord’s, giving his team the early initiative in this crucial match.
Beyond its impact on the game, Rabada’s five-wicket haul was historically significant. He surpassed the legendary Allan Donald’s record to become South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 332 wickets in 71 Tests, surpassing Donald’s 330 wickets in 72 matches.
This performance also gave Rabada a rare WTC final record. He is only the second bowler to have achieved a five-wicket haul in a WTC Final, after Kyle Jamieson of New Zealand, who did it against India in 2021. Rabada’s performance is now one of the highlights of bowling performances in WTC final history.
Rabada has a reputation for excelling under pressure, and his stats back it up, with 11 wickets in five ICC knockout games at an excellent average of 19.27. His spell at Lord’s was his career-best in an ICC final and puts him joint-third on South Africa’s list of knockout match wicket-takers, alongside Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald.
Lord’s continues to be a ground where Rabada shines. He has taken 18 wickets in just three Tests at the iconic ground and has an average of 16.83. He has also overtaken Morne Morkel’s record (15 wickets) to become South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in Tests at Lord’s. Rabada now joins Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini with two five-wicket hauls at the ground.