Star Metro - Rabada's early double strike rocks Australia in WTC final

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Rabada's early double strike rocks Australia in WTC final

SPORTS 11.06.2025

Rabada's early double strike rocks Australia in WTC final / Photo: Glyn KIRK - AFP

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took two wickets in an over to reduce reigning champions Australia to 16-2 in a dramatic start to the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Wednesday.

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Rabada, 30, who has more than 300 Test wickets, is playing his first Test after serving a one-month ban for cocaine use earlier this year.

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma opted to field in overcast conditions in London that promised to favour his quicks after winning the toss and his decision paid early dividends.

Opener Usman Khawaja fell for a 20-ball duck in the seventh over, edging behind to David Bedingham at first slip.

And 12-1 became 16-2 when new batsman Cameron Green edged Rabada low to second slip, where Aiden Markram held a brilliant diving catch under the glare of the Lord's floodlights.

The dismissal of Green brought Steve Smith to the wicket.

South Africa are aiming to win their first major trophy since lifting the ICC Knockout, a forerunner of the Champions Trophy, in 1998.

The top-ranked Australians, who beat India in the 2023 WTC final, have won multiple white-ball trophies.

T.Murray--SMC