Ali Martin’s report from a mad day is up. And with that I’ll sign off. Phew, South Africa have a mighty mountain to climb tomorrow. We’ll be back to see how high they get. What can South Africa do from here? Well, according to Marco Jansen, it’s pretty simple. They have to back themselves. Here’s what the lanky fast bowler had to say: Bowling-wise I think we did really well and batting-wise, we lost a few there at the end. They bowled well and we are going to have our work cut out for us tomorrow. At the moment Australia are far ahead, but it’s not impossible. We still have a lot of guys in the camp to make runs for us and a lot of guys that can score quickly as well, so when those guys get themselves in, I am confident they can get some runs in. [And on Rabada] He was unbelievable. To have a guy like that in the team you just never know what you are going to get. I could see in the game blood in his eyes. Blood in his eyes? Good heavens! Beau Webster, whose knock of 72 now looks like a gargantuan contribution, had this to say on TMS: It was tricky out there, no doubt. Two good bowling outfits. It was tough work for the batters. We’ve got a score on the board and to grab four scalps at the end of the day, I think we’re pretty happy. It’s great to be out here, a packed house at Lord’s. I’ve been really excited for the week coming up and it’s finally day one and to get a few runs I’m really pleased. I’m a little bit disappointed to not go on with it there but that’s the game. There was plenty there, there were a couple of reviews throughout the day which could’ve gone either way. The degree of seam movement up the slope was tricky, you’re set up for the ball coming down and when it goes the other way it’s a different story. Anything can happen on any given day, it’s been a long two year cycle to get to this point and when we’re at our best, we’re very hard to beat. Like we saw tonight, backs against the wall with a smaller total and our quicks come out and get 4-30. A couple more in the morning and we could be well ahead already. We’re all confident going into these games but it’s a Test match, anything could happen and there’s a lot of cricket to be played. Sir Alastair Cook, who faced the Aussies countless times, remains impressed by their heft: It did surprise me how big Australia’s bowlers seem. I did play against them for years and maybe I have got shorter but they are an imposing thing. They did bowl very well and I wonder if South Africa did miss a trick not fighting back. “Yikes,” says Guy Hornsby. That about sums it up. Hell of a good day to get your money’s worth at Lords today, Dan (with a small whinge about the over rates). What a pair of attacks we have here to spoil us. You always suspected that if Australia were out today, the Proteas would also struggle, so here we are. Perhaps SA will be ok with 4 down, but I guess we’re in for a *crucial first session* in the morning. I really wish things are even, this time tomorrow. I’m no English hater of Australia, but I just want a good Test. If they skittle South Africa out for 140, it’s probably as good as done. I very much hope not. Bedingham thwacks two consecutive boundaries off Cummins – one down the ground off a full toss, another clipped through midwicket – to close out a remarkable day. 14 wickets fell as ball dominated bat, but it’s not honours even. Australia are firmly in command of this one. South Africa with a mountain to climb. I’m going to quickly dash to the pressers, but will bring some close of play quotes shortly. Jeremy Boyce has sent an email with the heading ‘Delighted’. I wonder what this’ll be: Yep, the Proteas will be delighted to get to the close with only 3 down, or maybe 4, who knows ? That only leaves them another 170 or so to make tomorrow, with Captain Cummins and his likely lads fully refreshed for another onslaught in the morning. I’ll be watching other sports Saturday and Sunday methinks. Yes, tell your non-cricket watching friends and family that you’ll be free this weekend. 21st over: South Africa 34-4 (Bavuma 2, Bedingham 0) This is so bleak for the Saffas but sensational for the Aussies. Their bowlers have been immaculate and Hazlewood rightfully joins his mates on the wicket taker’s list. Bavuma continues to dig in. Bedingham is there and had his heart in his mouth when the Australians considered an lbw review. They resisted the temptation as the ball bobbled away for four leg byes. Another beauty! Hazlewood deserves that. It might seem mad given how well the others have bowled but he’s been my pick of the bunch this innings. He brings Stubbs forward and jags it back through the narrowest of gates. Sure, Stubbs could have been more secure there but sometimes you just have to give credit to the bowler. He’s been outrageous. South Africa are falling apart. 20th over: South Africa 30-3 (Bavuma 2, Stubbs 3) Turn for Lyon straight up. Stubbs bunts a single down the ground to long-on before Bavuma digs in and bunts five consecutive balls. They’re inching their way to safety. No doubt Australia are well on top but the Proteas will be delighted if they can navigate to the close with only three down. Nathan Lyon replaces Cummins from the Pavilion end. 19th over: South Africa 29-3 (Bavuma 2, Stubbs 2) A loud cheer rises around the ground as Bavuma gets off the mark off his 31st ball. It’s an inside edge towards square leg, but they all count. Earlier he was fortunate not to tickle a beauty from Hazlewood that held it’s line around off stump. Another top over. 18th over: South Africa 27-3 (Bavuma 0, Stubbs 2) Once again Cummins finds an edge that doesn’t carry. Maybe that’s bad luck or maybe we need to give some credit to Bavuma who is playing with soft hands. His job is simple: survive to the close. He still has 13 scheduled overs to navigate. Not sure we’ll get them all. 17th over: South Africa 27-3 (Bavuma 0, Stubbs 2) Just the one off that Hazlewood over, to Stubbs who tucked a single off his pads. South Africa are crawling at 1.3 an over. Bavuma drives and misses. Hasn’t he been paying attention? Another superb over from an Australian. They’ve been magnificent. 16th over: South Africa 26-3 (Bavuma 0, Stubbs 1) We’re only on day one but this feels like Australia’s game. How quickly things can change. Their pace bowlers have simply proved too much for South Africa who have had their top order blown away. Can their middle order dig them out of a hole? Through him! Just as I said that South Africa’s batters are looking a little more composed, Mulder goes on the drive to Cummins and looks a mess while doing so. A bit of nip back takes the middle stump. Maybe there was an inside edge but Mulder can only blame himself. After working so hard and staying patient and diligent, he’s gone wafting. 15th over: South Africa 23-2 (Mulder 4, Bavuma 0) South Africa are going nowhere slowly, but they have looked a little more composed these last few overs. Not every ball feels like a wicket taking threat. Hazlewood is back and hammering a good length, as he does. He gets one to jag back into Bavuma, who leaves on length, and watches it shoot over his stumps. Otherwise he’s nicely behind it. 14th over: South Africa 23-2 (Mulder 4, Bavuma 0) Twice Cummins finds Mulder’s outside edge. The first squirts towards second slip but lands just short. The second goes wide of third slip and they get two. Cummins sticks another man in the cordon but now Mulder is more watchful, leaving on line as well as length. 13th over: South Africa 21-2 (Mulder 2, Bavuma 0) Mulder finally doubles his tally with a push into the covers for one. Starc changes his angle of attack for Bavuma, going round the wicket for the final ball. Bavuma drives but picks the fielder on the off-side. Another top set from Starc. That’s seven overs, three maidens, two for 10. 12th over: South Africa 20-2 (Mulder 1, Bavuma 0) Mulder gets off strike but doesn’t double his score. That’s a leg-bye to a lifter from Cummins. He had a man under the helmet for Mulder on the leg side but for Bavuma Cummins has shifted his field. That fielder has moved to the slip cordon instead. Not that he’s needed. Bavuma is solidly behind what Cummins serves. Krishna Moorthy is in a musical mood: If T20 is rap, and ODI is pop then Test Cricket is truly the classical Jazz. The attention deficit current generation can have their bang bang bang where finesse is 4 letter word. This is true class - like watching two fencers draw blood almost unnoticed. Australia’s quicks are playing heavy metal right now! 11th over: South Africa 19-2 (Mulder 1, Bavuma 0) Starc bowls an over where every ball felt like it had the potential for a wicket. One very nearly saw for Bavuma who played around a very full in-swinger. It hit the pad but it moved a little too much. Oh, but was that clipping? Indeed it was. A review would have gone the way of the umpire’s call. Bavuma survives, but only just. Time for a drink. Australia are well and truly on top. 10th over: South Africa 19-2 (Mulder 1, Bavuma 0) Cummins, at the batter constantly, bowls a maiden. Two are down the leg side but the other four test Mulder’s technique. South Africa’s make-shift number three has faced 29 balls for his solitary run. Not sure where his next will come from. This Australian bowling unit is on fire right now. Jeremy Coyne, like Gary Naylor before him, wants “more, more, MORE!” Like everyone, I’m in awe of this, Test is Best, eh ? Some relief for the batters as Cummins rings the bowling changes then. Imagine, you’ve seen off gem’n’peach Hazlewood and on comes Captain Cummins.” 9th over: South Africa 19-2 (Mulder 1, Bavuma 0) Reward for Starc’s swing and pace, though Rickelton will be sick when he watches that back. Driving away from his body, there really was no need having taken four three balls earlier. South Africa’s skipper, Bavuma, has a monstrous job to do. Starc has another and you can’t say he doesn’t deserve that. After Rickelton climbed into a shorter ball with a cut for four, Starc adjusted his length and got it up. With his swing away from the right hander driving was a risk. Even after missing a couple, Rickelton chased a third and edged to first slip. Both openers back in the shed with not much on the board. 8th over: South Africa 15-1 (Rickelton 12, Mulder 1) Captain Cummins enters the scene and finds a perfect line and length. Rickelton dabs away a single but Mulder can’t buy a run. Twice Cummins beats the bat as Mulder presses forward. Chsnts of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” is indicative of which side has the momentum. Early bowling change as the skipper, Cummins, brings himself on to replace Hazlewood from the Pavilion end. 7th over: South Africa 14-1 (Rickelton 11, Mulder 1) Less piercing from Starc, but one viscous bumper rattled past Mulder’s helmet. Didn’t quite have the radar with the fuller stuff as Mulder had enough width to comfortably shoulder arms. More, more, MORE! I agree with Gary Naylor: Couldn’t we find one month every three years for a three match series to decide the WTC? This has been Test cricket that lives up the the billing in every sense. Who wouldn’t want to see if Smith and co can solve Rabada and Jansen’s superb conception and execution over a proper menu of matches? 6th over: South Africa 14-1 (Rickelton 11, Mulder 1) Dear reader, I might as well level with you. I’m finding this utterly stressful. I want to be impartial but I think it’s clear from my columns this week I’m backing my fellow Saffas. Only thing is that Hazlewood has it on a string and is delivering gems and peaches like he’s a cross between a fruit seller and jeweller. But after beating Rickelton’s bat with balls than angle across the left-hander, one strays on the pads and they get two leg-byes and then one is over picthed which Rickelton caresses down the ground for four. What a battle. What a sport. 5th over: South Africa 8-1 (Rickelton 7, Mulder 1) Starc should have had his second. Mulder looks rattled out there and chased a wide full one, got a thick edge but the half-diving Carey put it down. Starc is moving it both ways. Mulder is so lucky to survive, not just the drop but also one that tailed back into him. This is brilliant fast bowling. What’s he done! I’ll tell you, he’s shelled a sitter. Thick edge from Starc and Carey, inexplicably, dropped it. 4th over: South Africa 7-1 (Rickelton 6, Mulder 1) Hazlewood is at his probing best. One catches the inside edge of Mulder’s bat but it shoots onto his pads. Then Hazlewood hammers it around a fourth stump line with a bit of away jag. Mulder prods at two lifters but, fortunately for the majority South Africa crowd, he doesn’t follow them with his hands. So though they look like misses, maybe we can chalk them off him letting them go. “Hey, Dan. Reckon I’ll be getting a refund for Day 5?.. This match is in fast forward” Put it this way, Jazba, I think you’ll have all of Sunday free at this rate. Things are hurtling along. 3rd over: South Africa 7-1 (Rickelton 6, Mulder 1) Rickelton leans into a full ball and drives a delicious drive down the ground for four. What a shot. But then Starc brings his length back and beats the outside edge by a whisker. This is tense! Excellent, compelling Test cricket. Nick Parish has made sense of my garbled mess from just before South Africa’s innings: Hi Dan I think perhaps a simpler way of understanding first vs fourth (if I understand it correctly) is to say that if they’re to have a realistic chance of winning, Australia need in the third innings to at least match what South Africa score in the second innings. Is that right? If not I’m off to fetch a wet towel. Nope you’ve got it mate. That’s exactly what I meant (and should have said). “Hi there. Not sure about a 150 lead. This has been a truly great Aussie attack for a long time. I could imagine the Saffers struggle badly against it in these conditions” I said South Africa need a 150 run lead. I didn’t say they’d get one, Dean Kinsella. 2nd over: South Africa 3-1 (Rickelton 2, Mulder 1) The air is thick with tension. Wow, feels on a knife’s edge right now. Hazlewood is bang on the money. Rickelton and Mulder tip and run to get off the mark and settle the nerves. Rickelton gets another off an inside edge but he survives. Colum Fordham has this to say: “Hi from Naples. I can’t think of a more thoroughly deserved five-fer than Rabada’s today. On centre stage at Lords he has delivered the goods for South Africa and his captain Bavuma against a top batting unit. The whole Proteas attack has excelled, as have the fielders. Jansen has bowled and caught superbly. Let’s see if they can cope with the Aussie quicks.” Signs aren’t positive so far. Hazlewood, not Cummins, to open the Pavilion End. 1st over: South Africa 0-1 (Rickelton 0, Mulder 0) Game on! Starc with a wicket in his first over. He’s a cheat code sometimes. Markram looked in all sorts out there. Big job now for the makeshift number three, Mulder. A perfect start for Australia! That’s exactly what they needed and Starc gets the early breakthrough! Swing and pace from that hefty left arm, he brings it back into Markram who chops it back onto his boot and onto his stumps. He survived an earlier inside edge but this time he’s gone! OK, South Africa’s turn. Starc has the ball. Markram to face up first. Three slips. A giant human at gully. Big question now, what’s the target for South Africa? A lead, of course, but what sort of lead? As Alastair Cook suggested on TMS, this could be a case of first innings versus fourth innings. That takes some explaining. What he’s getting at is that this surface is improving, and batting should be easier for days two and three. That means that even if South Africa get a lead of 150, Australia would then need to set South Africa a target of around 211 (the score they made here). Convoluted? That’s cricket. I’ll try make it simple. By my reckoning South Africa need a lead of at least 150. But first they need to get to the close of play today with as many wickets in hand. At least eight perhaps. So many things going on, so many numbers whirring in my brain. I’ll take a quick breather and be back in a few for South Africa’s response. Kagiso Rabada gets five! He’s knocked over Starc with another top nut that jags back off a length and clips the top of the middle. Outstanding bowling from South Africa’s premium fast bowler, claiming 5-51 from just under 16 overs. South Africa were brilliant. Won the toss and skittled the Aussies for a target that looks well below par on a deck that is getting better to bat on. But, as they say, we can’t judge a game until both sides have taken guard. So, I guess we’ll find out where things stand. Kudos to Webster who battled and biffed for his 72. And Smith for stroking a tidy looking 66. But South Africa’s day (so far). No doubt about it. 56th over: Australia 211-9 (Starc 1, Hazlewood 0) South Africa’s pace bowlers have been immense since tea. They’ve run through the Australians. Jansen did his best to snatch a five-for from Rabada, almost getting the last wicket with an absolute gem that angled into Hazlewood and moved away and over his off-stump. As it is, Rabada will have a crack next over. They’re running through them now! I’m not sure Lyon saw that as Jansen got it full and straight and beat the veteran spinner for pace. 55th over: Australia 210-8 (Starc 1, Lyon 0) With that wicket Rabada moves ahead of Alan Donald as South Africa’s fourth most successful wicket taker in Tests with 331 scalps. Webster played well but his luck ran out. How many can Australia’s tail cobble together? Rabada finally has his man! After surviving a non-review for a plumb lbw when he was on 8, and having survived multiple edges either side of the wicket, Webster finally goes. Rabada lands one on a good length and moves it away from Webster who follows it with his hands. A thick edge flies to first slip where Bedingham pouches it. They’ve caught everything today. That might have been streaky at times, but it was an important knock from Webster who played some great shots. 54th over: Australia 202-7 (Webster 64, Starc 1) Maharaj continues. Might have been a temptation to bring on Jansen to Starc, but the spinner is finding turn away from the right hander. Webster follows one with his hands but he’s seeing it well so dabs it away for a single. 53rd over: Australia 199-7 (Webster 62, Starc 0) Two wickets in two overs. South Africa’s sharks are circling. Webster continues to resist and picks up four with an edge past the slips before getting a single. Cummins was not up to it, though he can’t be blamed for missing a Rabada jaffa. New man Starc plays and misses. That’s a peach! That would have removed better batters than Cummins. No shame getting castled by that one. Rabada, angling it in, got it to move down the slope away from the right-hander from a full length and Cummins played down the wrong line. 52nd over: Australia 194-6 (Webster 57, Cummins 1) Success for Maharaj thanks to Carey’s recklessness. Cummins is out there and off the mark, prodding just past the man at silly mid-on. Was uppish. Maharaj oohs and aaahs. Webster, now with a lot to carry, stiffs a single down the ground. Maharaj is up to 199 Test wickets. Carey has missed a reverse sweep! My goodness, he’s chucked it away. Maharaj flighted it up and it took an age to get to Carey who committed to the shot prematurely. But he missed it all ends up and it rattled the stumps behind him. I think he was beaten in the air and on length, it was much fuller than he thought it would be. South Africa are into the bowlers. 51st over: Australia 192-5 (Webster 56, Carey 23) Rabada is on the money, hitting a good length. Just two singles off that first over of the session. And we’re back. Some sessions just feel more important than others. This is one of them. If Australia, and Webster, can see out til the close they’ll no doubt have a healthy score. If South Africa can skittle them soon, they could put a dent in things. Lot’s of ifs. Kagiso Rabada will take the ball from the Nursery End where he bowled so well in the morning. On we go. Australia’s session, but only just. The wicket of Steve Smith means South Africa will still be pleased with that, despite the lack of control from the possibly injured Ngidi. This final over was delivered by Maharaj from the Pavilion End. The incorrect end for the left arm finger spinner, according to Simon Mann on TMS. Webster cracked a single off the back foot and Carey swept without beating the man at short fine leg. Off for a quick cuppa. 49th over: Australia 189-5 (Webster 54, Carey 22) Webster gets three as he opens the face on Mulder and steers one down to deep third – he’s really batted well. Mulder then goes round the wicket to Carey. Still three slips in place. Mulder changes his mind and switches back over the wicket, perhaps looking for one that can angle across the left-hander. Carey flicks a couple to the right of Stubbs at deep midwicket. Maybe just one more over til tea. 48th over: Australia 183-5 (Webster 51, Carey 20) Twice Jansen finds Carey’s outside edge. Twice the ball flies down to the boundary. The Aussie keeper is playing his shots, flashing at even the suggestion of width. 47th over: Australia 174-5 (Webster 50, Carey 12) Webster has 50! With South Africa placing two men in the covers – one catching, one a little further back – Webster has some trouble piercing the gap. But when Mulder drags down and offers width, Webster lashes a cut to the man at deep point and comes through for a well-played half-century. A reminder that he was plumb lbw when he was on 8 but South Africa did not review the umpire’s call. 46th over: Australia 172-5 (Webster 49, Carey 11) Jansen returns from the Nursery End but Carey is playing his shots. A swivelling pull is nailed in front of square for four and a firm flick flies down to fine leg for a single. Jansen does find his edge, but it bobbles along the ground to the man at gully. 45th over: Australia 167-5 (Webster 49, Carey 6) Webster almost chops on as he eyes a bit of width from Mulder. He’s batted well but also had a bit of luck. A clip off the pads takes closer to a second Test fifty. Mulder shifts to round the wicket to the left-handed Carey. He’s got three slips in place but they can only watch as Carey throws his hands at some loose dross and creams a drive through the covers for four before nudging a single into the gap at point. 44th over: Australia 161-5 (Webster 48, Carey 1) Markram continues, and why not? He was only into the attack to allow Mulder a change of ends, but when you get the wicket of Steve Smith I suppose you’ve earned the right to have another over. He’s into the left-handed Carey who stoops to sweep his first ball. Oh, it’s hit the pad and Markram fancies this… they review. A little spike on the ultra edge off the glove saves the Aussie ‘keeper. Wow, that would have been some way to bag a golden duck. South Africa have lost their second review having not reviewed when Webster was plumb lbw. Carey gets off the mark with a prod past point. Webster sweeps, too, and almost gets four down to fine leg but Rabada’s long slide hauled it in just before the rope. 43rd over: Australia 157-5 (Webster 45, Carey 0) Beau Webster, in only his fourth Test, must now take the lead and steer Australia to a hefty total. He looks in good touch as he leans back and thwacks Mulder – who has changed ends – off the back foot for four in front of square. The big unit gets some luck as an inside edge flies past his stumps and down to fine leg for another boundary. A flash outside off stump is missed but a forward press is firmly bunted into the covers. It’s a messy set from Mulder that included three no-balls. I don’t believe it! Aiden Markram has come into the attack which seemed like a sign of South Africa’s desperation. Smith wanted to crunch the part-timer with a booming drive but caught a thick outside edge that flew to the beanpole Jansen in the slips. A juggle, another fumble and then the catch. What a moment! Australia were cruising and now Smith is gone! 42nd over: Australia 146-5 (Webster 37, Carey 0) 41st over: Australia 145-4 (Smith 66, Webster 36) South Africa need to put the skids on Australia’s run scoring. Webster picks up a single to deep cover as Maharaj drags one down. Smith paddles for a single of his own. Ngidi is off the field. Just a breather after a tough spell or is that a niggle? If he is injured that’ll be big problems ahead for South Africa. 40th over: Australia 142-4 (Smith 65, Webster 34). No surprise to see Mulder replace Ngidi from the Pavilion End. Before lunch he delivered three consecutive maidens that helped put the squeeze on Labuschagne. Mulder moves the man from backward point to midwicket and, wouldn’t you know it, Webster leans onto a short ball and steers the ball through the freshly created gap for four. Mulder then moves the midwicket and, wouldn’t you know it, Webster picks up a single in the freshly created gap. Bavuma is chasing the ball at the minute. 39th over: Australia 137-4 (Smith 65, Webster 29) Maharaj continues from the Nursery End and Smith flashes a drive out to deep point for a single. Smudge looks in the mood today. A silly mid-off comes in for Webster but a single into the covers gets him off strike. Maharaj not controlling things as Bavuma would like. We’ve got a letter from southern Africa from Trevor Tutu: Holed up in Swaziland (eSwathini) with my wife and her family, and forced to go shopping! I have not even been allowed to use the tv remote to the cricket. You can imagine my joy and elation when I saw the lunchtime score. I am going to slope off to the pub, and trust that are doing the decent thing and showing the match. 38th over: Australia 133-4 (Smith 63, Webster 27) Hello everyone. Thanks Martin. Well Australia have fought back brilliantly, haven’t they? South Africa burn a review after going upstaiurs after Webster met Ngidi’s ball with the middle of the bat. Then the big unit crunched a cover drive to the boundary having whipped a ball down to fine leg earlier in the set. Ngidi really hasn’t been at his best. South Africa, having dominated the first session, are chasing leather currently. 37th over: Australia 123-4 (Smith 62, Webster 18) South Africa turn to spin for the first time in the Test with Keshav Maharaj called into action for the last over before drinks. Smith begins with a confident drive through cover for two and ends the over with a controlled pull over midwicket to punish a half-volley. Australia head to the break after putting on 56 runs without losing a wicket in the hour since lunch. Thanks a lot for following along so far. Dan Gallan will guide you through the rest of what has already been a gripping day one. 36th over: Australia 117-4 (Smith 56, Webster 18) Webster smacks Ngidi straight back over his head with a pull shot that turns into a forehand as the ball sits up in the surface. Smith hammers a cut to deep point for a single that brings up the 50-run stand. It has been hard-earned for Webster in particular, but just the sort of fighting partnership that Australia needed. 35th over: Australia 111-4 (Smith 55, Webster 13) Smith is looking as busy at the crease as he is when at his best as he sees off another fine Rabada over and ends it with a casual drive for two. The Australian now has the most runs of all non-England batters at Lord’s, after passing Don Bradman (551), Garfield Sobers (571) and Warren Bardsley (575) during this knock. 34th over: Australia 109-4 (Smith 53, Webster 13) Smith gets a wake up call as Ngidi crashes the ball just below the midriff. It was the first of two no-balls in the over, while Smith and Webster each pick up a single in between on the leg side. The sun is peaking through just as Smith is picking up the pace and Webster is clinging on to stay with him. Gary Naylor senses a glimmer of hope shining through for the Australians at the same time. “It’s very tough batting in England before midday and Lord’s is the best Days Four and Five pitch in the world. Coin toss of a match now – appropriately enough.” 33rd over: Australia 104-4 (Smith 51, Webster 12) Steve Smith reaches fifty for the 78th time in Tests with yet another critical knock that is keeping his side in the game. The 36-year-old brings up the milestone with a cut to the rope and gives a little wave to the dressing room with his job far from done. As if Smith needs a reminder of the battle that remains in front of him, Webster ends the over reaching away from his body and chasing an outswinger from Rabada. 32nd over: Australia 99-4 (Smith 46, Webster 12) Ngidi takes the ball from Jansen and will want to be wary of overpitching, especially to the towering Webster, after bowling too many fuller balls in the opening session. Smith cuts to deep point for a single before Webster finds relief batting away from Rabada and smashes a square cut through point for four. 31st over: Australia 94-4 (Smith 45, Webster 8) Rabada has had Webster in all sorts since he arrived at the crease after lunch. The South Africa quick beats the bat again, Webster plays and misses at a couple of wider balls, and in between is sent back by his partner while trying to sneak a single. An all-action maiden. 30th over: Australia 94-4 (Smith 45, Webster 8) Full. Short. Fourth or fifth stump outside off. Marco Jansen has Steve Smith hopping all over the crease but the Australia batter remains well within his comfort zone playing each ball on its merits. Maiden. 29th over: Australia 94-4 (Smith 45, Webster 8) Webster takes a single long stride down the crease to create a half volley and crash a cover drive to the rope. A delightful stroke. But he is very nearly gone next ball as it nips inside the bat and smacks into Webster’s back thigh. South Africa appeal half-heartedly and don’t bother with a review but this time the replay shows three red lights and that the ball was on line to take out middle stump. The first real error of the day so far for South Africa. 28th over: Australia 90-4 (Smith 45, Webster 4) REVIEW! Webster survives after South Africa send the lbw decision off for a second opinion, as the 200cm batter’s long reach onto his front foot is only barely enough to save him. Ball tracking shows it was taking out middle stump but fortunately for Australia it goes with umpire’s call on the point of impact alone. Webster responds with a classy pull shot for two and a single from a drive before Smith opens up with a powerful square drive. 27th over: Australia 82-4 (Smith 40, Webster 1) Rabada has Webster all tangled up before the Australian all-rounder is fortunate to get off the mark with a leading edge after playing across the line. Smith flicks off his pads for an easy three, then Rabada almost cuts Webster in half with a delivery that jags back and sneaks over middle stump. 26th over: Australia 78-4 (Smith 37, Webster 0) Marco Jansen finds a tidier line to Steve Smith just outside off-stump and leaves the Australian looking to pull anything that the towering quick pitches back of a length. Maiden. 25th over: Australia 78-4 (Smith 37, Webster 0) Steve Smith clobbers his first ball faced after lunch for four as Kagiso Rabada drifts wide and is punished through cover. Smith slashes hard at another wide ball and a top edge sails safely high over cover, then has little trouble dispatching a straight ball from Rabada back through mid-on. South Africa will hope that over was merely a loosener from Rabada. 24th over: Australia 67-4 (Smith 26, Webster 0) Jansen completes his over that started with the crucial wicket of Travis Head from the second delivery and then was interrupted by lunch. A bouncer first up clears 200cm Beau Webster and four post-break dot balls finish off a maiden over. Steve Smith has drawn level with Don Bradman for 551 runs scored at Lord’s where both batters have two centuries and Australia desperately need their current No 4 to add a third. Smith was the saviour the last time Australia visited the venue as he amassed 110 while batting with the middle-order and tail for a long period. The 36-year-old will likely have to do similar if Australia are to hang on and make the most of the sunny skies that are expected throughout the afternoon. Beau Webster is walking out in his fourth Test alongside Smith and will take strike first for what remains of Marco Jansen’s over and a critical hour ahead. Australia might be busy licking their wounds in the dressing room over lunch at Lord’s but the break gives us time to lean back and learn about a very different sort of cricket tournament. Tanya Aldred looks at the sport’s ability to bring hope and community in the latest edition of The Spin. Nine teams of refugees, mostly based in Normandy, will fight it out over two days in a series of round-robin T5 tape-ball games. The battles will be fierce, the bowling often fast, with added jeopardy if the ball hits the not-very-well-disguised join between the two bits of chipboard. South Africa have been more than vindicated for sending Australia in to bat with four wickets in the opening session of the World Test Championship final. Kagiso Rabada set the tone and soon had Usman Khawaja on his way for a duck then had another scalp in the same over as Cameron Green was also caught in the slips. Marnus Labuschagne did well to see off much of the new ball while opening for the first time in a Test before being bogged down by tight bowling and an overly cautious approach, then dismissed with a edge behind to Kyle Verreynne off Marco Jansen. Steve Smith and Travis Head were showing early signs of reclaiming the momentum for the defending champions until the left-hander couldn’t help but play at a ball heading down leg in the last over before lunch. A tickle off Jansen and a fine diving catch from keeper Verreynne gave South Africa the critical wicket of Head and has Australia on the ropes at four for 67 at the first break. South Africa get the big one and it takes a screamer from Kyle Verreynne diving low and hard to his right. Head wafts at a ball swinging down his leg side and gets a nick that only just reaches the keeper as South Africa get the dangerman. That’s lunch and most certainly South Africa’s session with four scalps. 23rd over: Australia 66-3 (Smith 26, Head 10) Mulder bounces back with a better over. Head starts with a single to deep square then Mulder beats Smith with an angled ball. 22nd over: Australia 66-3 (Smith 26, Head 10) REVIEW! Smith wanders across his crease as he has been prone to doing for a decade and a half and South Africa can’t help but review after the ball raps him on the back pad. The umpire made the right call - just - as ball tracking shows it was heading narrowly high and wide of leg stump. Smith earlier makes Jansen pay as the South Africa quick overpitches a couple of times. The Australian clubs the first through cover where Bavuma saves one run when collecting inside the rope, but there is no stopping the next stroke as Smith slices off the back foot past backward point. 21st over: Australia 58-3 (Smith 19, Head 9) Mulder strays onto Smith’s pads and is whipped away for a single, then is too straight to Head who punches back for one at mid-on. Smith adds another off his pads before Head makes something out of another with a square cut through point. Mulder let the Australians off the hook there and it is probably time to call on Rabada for an over or two before lunch. 20th over: Australia 53-3 (Smith 18, Head 6) Travis Head shapes up to Marco Jansen and can’t help but swipe at the first ball he faces. Jansen pushes the ball wide and Head is fortunate that it bounces well below his horizontal bat. The left-hander gets off the mark as he works a straighter ball from off-stump through the leg-side for two. Head then makes amends for his earlier swing and a miss as Jansen again pitches wide outside the left-hander’s body and this time is duly punished. 19th over: Australia 47-3 (Smith 18, Head 0) Mulder to Smith as the Australian veteran rightly sums up the situation as one where his side needs to preserve wickets until the lunch break. A no-ball is the only addition to the score. 18th over: Australia 46-3 (Smith 18, Head 0) Jansen troubles Labuschagne with his bounce from the off as the Australian looks to duck under a shorter ball but mis-judges the length and is struck on the shoulder. The ball flies over the keeper to the boundary but Jansen strikes with the next delivery as Labuschagne resistance ends. Marco Jansen returns for the second time today and quickly finds a breakthrough. Labuschagne didn’t look comfortable over, or in the past few overs, and after defending and leaving resolutely was lured into a wave outside off. A thin edge carries to the keeper and South Africa have their third. 17th over: Australia 41-2 (Labuschagne 17, Smith 17) A big appeal as Mulder straightens one up as Labuschagne defends and is rapped on the pads. South Africa decide against a review but the ball hit Labuschagne outside the line anyway. Another maiden as the Australian is getting bogged down. 16th over: Australia 41-2 (Labuschagne 17, Smith 17) SHOT! Ngidi drops a rare loose delivery that is overpitched and swings away from Smith who reaches to club it past point. A diving Stubbs gets a hand on the ball but the shot was firmly struck by Smith and races to the boundary. Marnus Labuschagne has done about as much as he could to prove that he is capable of making the move to open a Test innings after seeing off 15 overs including a red-hot spell from Kagiso Rabada. But Robert D remains far from convinced. “If S Barrel Boland was from NSW he’d be opening the batting instead of Marnus Labuschagne. The form he’s in they arguably should have opened with Barrel even if he’s from Vic. Solid bat, first class 50 under his belt, might have been the first bloke in a long while to open both innings.” 15th over: Australia 37-2 (Labuschagne 17, Smith 13) EDGE! Mulder lures Labuschagne to defend away from his body but the thick edge falls agonisingly short of Markram at second slip. That’s enough for Labuschagne as he leaves four of the next five balls, only defending with soft hands when Mulder targets off-stump. Maiden. 14th over: Australia 37-2 (Labuschagne 17, Smith 13) First ball after drinks is wasted as Ngidi stray well down leg and is suitably punished by Smith for four. Smith continues defending toward the leg-side before finding a gap between the keeper and leg slip for a second boundary in the over. South Africa have a clear plan to Smith but it seems unlikely to blunt his attack from his pads. 13th over: Australia 29-2 (Labuschagne 17, Smith 5) Wiaan Mulder is thrown the ball as Rabada is given a spell. These are perhaps ideal conditions for the seamer who quickly has the ball moving both ways and almost picks up Labuschagne with the last delivery as the batter is beaten on the inside while driving. That’s drinks with South Africa on top and Australia in need of a familiar rearguard from Labuschagne and Smith. 12th over: Australia 29-2 (Labuschagne 17, Smith 5) Ngidi beats Labuschagne with a fuller ball that moves late – but there wasn’t much else the right-hander could do there. Ngidi keeps the ball swinging in both directions without troubling Labuschagne agaion, as the right-hander waits for one moving away from him to ease a shot through cover for three. As an Australian, I can’t help but think that Colum Fordham might be speaking for the majority of England cricket fans. Either way, he’s spot on about Rabada. “I imagine South Africa were the twitchier of the two sides at the start of this match but Rabada’s superb bowling and wonderful catching have put the Proteas in a great position. Can they get Smith out too? As an Englishman, I am definitely supporting the underdogs!” 11th over: Australia 26-2 (Labuschagne 14, Smith 5) Rabada to Smith again but this time it is the South Africa quick who is on top. Smith almost finds a boundary off the first delivery if not for a desperate dive at point. But that’s as threatening as he gets as Smith sees out the rest of the over while defending off his back foot. A maiden and Rabada has two for nine from six overs. 10th over: Australia 26-2 (Labuschagne 14, Smith 5) Lungi Ngidi replaces Marco Jansen and almost sends Labuschagne on his way with his second ball. Labuschagne wafts at a shorter ball that he would usually leave and is fortunate to avoid all contact, before dispatching the next ball to the boundary with a sublime cover drive – the shot of the day, so far! 9th over: Australia 22-2 (Labuschagne 10, Smith 5) Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith is just the heavyweight battle that Lord’s deserves. Smith takes the points early and already looks the most likely of the Australia batters to pick up any movement. He punches the last ball of the over square and to the rope for the first boundary of the innings. 8th over: Australia 18-2 (Labuschagne 10, Smith 1) South Africa are mere centimetres away from a third scalp as Labuschagne whips off his hip and gets an inside edge that falls painstakingly close to short leg gully. The tide has quickly turned at Lord’s! The first-time opener had earlier picked up a single with a drive through cover, and Steve Smith took only four deliveries to get off the mark with a typical nudge forward while stepping onto his back foot. 7th over: Australia 16-2 (Labuschagne 9, Smith 0) South Africa were just starting to reach desperate times to find a breakthrough. But instead they have discovered two. Rabada is rewarded for a superb opening spell not once but twice, as Australia are left with the all-too familiar sight of being two down with Labuschagne and Smith at the crease looking to salvage the innings. Rabada makes it two in an over helped by a sensational one-handed diving catch from Markram in the slips. This time the South Africa quick comes over the wicket to Green and the ball nips off the surface away from the right-hander. Green’s comeback innings is over before it really even began. Khawaja is the first to go and little surprise it is Rabada that gets the breakthrough. The left-hander seemed to be content to see off South Africa’s dangerman after playing within himself for 20 balls faced. But as Rabada comes around the wicket and gets the ball to angle in, Khawaja nicks off to second slip. 6th over: Australia 11-0 (Khawaja 0, Labuschagne 8) Labuschagne is starting to look comfortable against Jansen as he guides a drive through cover for two. The right-hander finds a couple more as he gets on the front foot and punches to mid-on, while he remains happy to leave anything tighter to the off-stump. 5th over: Australia 5-0 (Khawaja 0, Labuschagne 4) Rabada beats Khawaja’s outside edge with one that moves away off an awkward length as the left-hander commits to the drive. Rabada has been the pick of the two bowlers so far and would surely like a shot at Labuschagne sometime soon. But Khawaja knows how to wear down the more threatening quicks as much as any modern-day player as is content to see off another Rabada over. 4th over: Australia 5-0 (Khawaja 0, Labuschagne 4) A no-ball from Jansen helps Australia finally get off the mark as Labuschagne follows up the next delivery with his first runs as an opener off an unconvincing inside edge to fine leg. That will hardly have settled the nerves but Labuschagne looks much more comfortable dispatching a mid-tracker to deep midwicket for a couple more. 3rd over: Australia 0-0 (Khawaja 0, Labuschagne 0) Rabada continues to work away back of a length to Khawaja who looks comfortably defending on his back foot. Khawaja rocks back a little further as Rabada pitches a shorter ball but it’s too early for the left-hander to consider pulling. A third maiden as Australia look content to see out the early overs. 2nd over: Australia 0-0 (Khawaja 0, Labuschagne 0) Marnus Labuschagne faces his first over as a Test opener to Marco Jansen and is firmly committed to seeing out the six balls as he looks to defend on the front foot. Jansen tries to tempt the right-hander with the last ball of the over as it angles across Labuschagne without luring him into a shot. Another maiden. 1st over: Australia 0-0 (Khawaja 0, Labuschagne 0) Rabada beats Khawaja as he gets the opening delivery of the WTC final to jag back into the left-hander. Khawaja takes a watchful pose for the rest of the over as he only half plays at a glance off the hip then lets a couple more balls sail wide. The 38-year-old finally hears the sound of bat on ball as he blocks away from his body to point but is denied a run. Maiden over. Usman Khawaja heads straight to the striker’s end with Marnus Labuschagne bouncing around at the other end. Kagiso Rabada has the Duke’s ball in hand as he comes steaming in and the World Test Championship final is under way … The national anthems are ringing out and after South Africa won the toss they might have just taken an early 2-0 lead. Ali Martin will be at Lord’s across what we hope is five days of tight and tense Test cricket, and has already set out perfectly just what is at stake. Individual series wins can still sparkle in isolation and to know the best Test team in the world at any point in time, there are rankings available (rankings that currently have Australia in first ahead of England). Instead, its final is about the jeopardy of a one-off shot at silverware, the agony and the ecstasy of high-stakes cricket, and, perhaps more importantly, the journey that saw nine teams whittled down to two. World Cups have not been kind to South Africa men and women in either of the white-ball formats. The players and fans alike will be desperate for a change of fortune with a red ball this time in hand. Dan Gallan has experienced the occasional highs and all too many lows with South Africa cricket teams, but can’t help but hope that the WTC final might be the time when they finally shake the “chokers” tag. The Proteas choking when it matters most is a tale as old as the country itself. Longer, in fact, if you consider that Nelson Mandela was elected president two years after this story began. And throughout it all, one antagonist has loomed largest. Australia have swung the axe on multiple occasions, as they did in 1999, 2007 and 2023. Seeing Marnus Labuschagne walk out to open the innings alongside Usman Khawaja will feel off-kilter, but should be just another step in a strange scenario for Australia cricket fans watching from afar, as Geoff Lemon appreciates even while in London. The players are excited, the press attentive and the audience has committed. The Test decider is vindicated further each time it is played. It may be a strange time of year for an Antipodean, and a strange tournament structure for anybody involved. But the important thing now is the game: jumpers on, caps fitted, seats taken, rain cursed, sunshine welcomed. Channel changed. The footy can wait a week. We’ll find out in little more than 15 minutes how Marnus Labuschagne goes as a Test opener after he was preferred to partner Usman Khawaja in place of the likes of Sam Konstas. Shane (not that one) believes it is just doubling down on another mis-step from the Australia selectors. “Just constantly amazed by the selectors decisions, they are so reactive and short sighted. I loved the Boxing Day highlights, but Konstas should never have been given a baggy green, wasn’t ready. But if you do select a 19-year-old, stand by the decision and support him, give him a chance to succeed. Now they take a bloke that has underperformed for years at No 3 and think the solution is to put him as opener?” Simon Reader has been in touch with a reminder that South Africa are up against it at Lord’s though perhaps found an early win with the toss falling their way. “By my count the Proteas are fielding three players who featured in Temba Bavuma’s last outing at Lords (2017)? That saw Rabada at his finest … BMT at Lords is always a tough grasp … with the Proteas already notorious for absence here, this is going to be a tough ask.” “We’re happy to bat first, looks like a pretty good wicket and that it might turn later in the match,” Australia captain Pat Cummins tells Ravi Shastri. The coin flip falls Temba Bavuma’s way and the South Africa captain elects to field first in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. The forecast in London is for a hint of cloud to hang around for the first session before the sun breaks through in the afternoon and takes the temperature to a relatively balmy 24 degrees. That might not be a bad toss to lose if only Australia can hold firm until lunch. Temba Bavuma has taken a wonderful and winding path to the WTC final after being the first black South African to be selected as a Test batter in 2017 and then breaking more new ground when named captain six years later. The South Africa skipper also spoke with Donald McRae. Can you imagine taking a child from the township into a system where, basically, everything is there. There were always doubts. Am I good enough to be here? Do I deserve this opportunity? I always felt the need to prove myself. Pat Cummins will lead Australia into a second successive WTC final as he returns to Lord’s for a first Test at the venue since a certain dismissal during the last Ashes series largely divided opinion down national lines. The Australia skipper caught up with Donald McRae to talk about making his Test debut in South Africa, taking on the captaincy, and facing the Proteas again with a world title on the line. There was a lot of trepidation. One, because I was uncertain how I was going to go as a captain. I didn’t really have any experience. But also trepidation because it’s a big role and things can turn against you overnight. Part of me thought: ‘Maybe captaincy isn’t for me.’ But there’re enough great parts of the job I really enjoy. The World Test Championship mace is up for grabs for just the third time with Australia out to become the first side to defend their crown. But there is also a deep pool of prize money waiting for both finalists, though much of the spoils will of course go to the winner at Lord’s. The champions will walk away with a cool USD $3.6m (more than double the $1.6m that was awarded to the winners in both 2021 and 2023), while the runners-up will pocket USD $2.16m. If you need a primer or just some background on what to expect in the first WTC final at Lord’s, I’ve penned a few words to help set the scene. Take in all you need to know about the recent history for both teams at the iconic venue, why Australia landed on their eventual XI, and how South Africa found a back road through the two-year cycle to Lord’s – and what they can do to make the most of their somewhat surprising appearance. Ryan Rickleton, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. South Africa stick with a more familiar lineup as all-rounder Wiaan Mulder returns to first drop after being trialled there against Sri Lanka and Pakistan around the turn of the year. Lungi Ngidi is backed to bring his experience to the pace attack alongside Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen with Dane Paterson the unlucky quick to miss out. Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. It has been hinted at for weeks, if not months, but even after being confirmed with the Australia team news dropping overnight, it still looks out of place – Marnus Labuschagne will open in a Test for the first time. Cameron Green slots back in at No 3 for his first Test in more than a year after undergoing back surgery that ruled him out of the entire Australian summer. The all-rounder is not yet able to bowl but is being backed to bat in the prime position after a successful stint with Gloucestershire that includes a pair of tons in his two most recent County Championship matches. Australia’s other selection dilemma was around the pace attack where the fit-again Josh Hazlewood is preferred to Scott Boland, in a reversal of fortunes compared to the WTC final against India two years ago. Hello and welcome to live coverage of the first day of the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa. The ICC’s red-ball showcase might still be some distance short of becoming the pinnacle of the format but the hype will be real once Australia and South Africa step onto Lord’s to renew their one-time fierce rivalry. Australia are out to become the first side to retain the title (which, admittedly, will only be awarded for the third time), while South Africa have more than just silverware – in this case, the WTC mace – on the line after three decades of pain and suffering at the pointy end of global cricket tournaments. South Africa secured their place in the decider – somewhat surprisingly – as the No 1 side across the two-year WTC cycle. The Proteas arguably made the most of a friendly fixture as they avoided crossing paths with the defending champions, as well as England, and only faced two-time runners-up India in a tied home series. But they could now respond to the critics of their path to the final in the most satisfying way. South Africa have in fact only met their old foes Australia in a single Test series – for three matches away in 2022-23 – in the past seven years, in one of all too many signs of the ever-widening divide that now exists between cricket’s “Big Three” and the remainder of the Test-playing nations. But the winner-takes-all WTC final at Lord’s feels like neither the time nor the place to be laying out all that has gone wrong with the purists’ preferred format, especially with play due to start in an hour. First ball will be at 10.30am local time or 7.30pm AEST / 11.30am SAST. The toss will take place 30 minutes before that. I’ll be seeing us through to drinks in the second session, when the tone will inevitably shift as self-confessed South Africa tragic, Dan Gallan, takes the reins. Get in touch with any comments, questions, thoughts and predictions – shoot me an email or find me @martinpegan on Bluesky or X. Let’s get into it!
Author: Daniel Gallan (later, at Lord's) and Martin Pegan (earlier)