South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada shines with a five-wicket haul in the WTC Final 2025, becoming the fourth-highest Test wicket-taker for his nation. Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja matches a 137-year-old duck record.
The much-anticipated WTC Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia kicked off with high drama at Lord’s, London, on June 11. Day 1 delivered everything Test fans crave—top-class bowling, a flurry of wickets, a surprise collapse, and, of course, individual records. South African speedster Kagiso Rabada stole the show with a memorable performance that entered the record books, while Australian opener Usman Khawaja also made history, albeit for an undesirable feat.
As the match unfolded, two players—Rabada and Khawaja—made headlines for contrasting reasons, etching their names into the annals of Test cricket. While Rabada’s heroics with the ball brought South Africa roaring into the contest, Khawaja’s painful duck added to Australia’s early woes in this high-stakes final.
Kagiso Rabada Reaches Historic Milestone in WTC Final 2025
South Africa’s pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada produced a spellbinding performance on Day 1 that turned the tide in his team’s favour. With his lethal pace and pinpoint accuracy, Rabada dismantled the Australian batting line-up, returning with impressive figures of 5 for 51 in just 15.4 overs.
What makes this performance truly historic is that Rabada’s five-wicket haul helped him surpass Allan Donald, one of South Africa’s greatest fast bowlers. Rabada now holds the record as South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 332 wickets in 71 matches, overtaking Donald’s tally of 330 wickets from 72 Tests.
This achievement also puts Rabada in elite World Test Championship company. He becomes only the second bowler in WTC Final history to take a five-wicket haul, following Kyle Jamieson of New Zealand, who accomplished this feat against India during the inaugural final in 2021.
Rabada’s explosive bowling did not just dismantle the Aussies; it also injected immense confidence into the South African camp. His wickets came at crucial intervals and ensured that Australia was bowled out for a modest total of 212 runs in the first innings. His victims included top-order batters and middle-order stalwarts, demonstrating his versatility and endurance on a pitch offering some early swing and seam.
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Usman Khawaja’s 20-Ball Duck Joins Unwanted Record Book
While Kagiso Rabada was creating history for all the right reasons, Usman Khawaja, the experienced Australian opener, had a match to forget. The left-hander fell for a 20-ball duck, marking one of the longest scoreless stays at the crease by an Australian batter in Test history.
Khawaja’s innings was a prolonged struggle against a potent South African bowling unit. Facing Rabada’s blistering deliveries and the swinging ball under cloudy conditions at Lord’s, Khawaja failed to find the middle of the bat. His resistance came to an end in the seventh over, when he edged Rabada’s delivery to the slips.
This 20-ball duck ties him with Sammy Jones, who also scored a 20-ball duck for Australia way back in 1888 against England. In doing so, Khawaja became only the third Australian to face 20 or more deliveries without scoring in a Test match, alongside David Warner (22 balls vs England in Hobart, 2022) and Shaun Marsh (21 balls vs India in Pune, 2017).
While such records are often best forgotten, they remain part of the sport’s quirky and detailed statistical history. Khawaja’s unfortunate innings highlights the intense pressure and fine margins that define a match as important as the WTC Final 2025.
Match Situation: South Africa Takes the Edge
At the end of Day 1, the contest remains finely poised. Australia’s total of 212 looked sub-par for a final, especially on a pitch that still had plenty to offer to seamers. However, the Proteas didn’t have it easy either, finding themselves at 43 for 4 at stumps after 22 overs.
Australian bowlers, led by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, made early inroads into the South African top order. Despite Rabada’s heroics earlier in the day, the Proteas’ batters struggled to withstand the quality of the Australian pace attack. As the Test progresses, it remains to be seen whether South Africa’s lower order can steady the innings and build a meaningful lead.
A Day of Records in WTC Final 2025
The opening day of the WTC Final 2025 has already provided fans with plenty to talk about, thanks to individual milestones and team dynamics that have made this match instantly memorable.
Key Takeaways from Day 1:
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Kagiso Rabada becomes South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test history.
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Rabada’s five-wicket haul is only the second-ever in a WTC Final 2025.
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Usman Khawaja’s 20-ball duck ties a record from 1888, becoming the third-longest duck for an Aussie in Test history.
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Australia all out for 212, South Africa struggles to 43/4 in 22 overs.
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Looking Ahead
With the match delicately balanced, Day 2 is expected to offer more gripping action. South Africa will hope for a strong lower-order fightback, while Australia will look to tighten their grip with quick wickets early in the day. Kagiso Rabada’s early strike may have tilted momentum, but in Test cricket, every session tells a new story.
For now, Rabada’s historic achievement and Khawaja’s record-equalling duck serve as a reminder of how the game continues to surprise us—with legends rising and records tumbling in the grandest format of them all.
Frequently Asked Questions (F&Q) related to the WTC Final 2025
Q1. How many wickets did Rabada take against Australia in the WTC Final?
A: Rabada took 5 wickets for 51 runs in 15.4 overs, helping South Africa bowl out Australia for 212.
Q2. What is the significance of Usman Khawaja’s duck in the WTC Final?
A: Usman Khawaja was dismissed for a 20-ball duck, tying a 137-year-old record set by Sammy Jones in 1888. It is one of the longest scoreless innings in Australian Test history.
Q3. How many Australian players have faced 20+ balls without scoring in Tests?
A: Only three Australians have done this:
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David Warner (22 balls)
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Shaun Marsh (21 balls)
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Usman Khawaja (20 balls)
Q4. Who was the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a WTC Final?
A: Kyle Jamieson of New Zealand was the first, achieving the feat against India in the WTC Final 2021.
Q5. Who was the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a WTC Final?
A: Kyle Jamieson of New Zealand was the first, achieving the feat against India in the WTC Final 2021.