The three dragons of Australia, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, dismantled South Africa’s batting order to end Day 1 on a high note.
South Africa’s bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada’s brilliant 5-wicket haul, bowled out Australia for 211. In response, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton opened the batting for South Africa, with Mitchell Starc steaming in with the new ball under the clear skies at Lord’s.
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Mitchell Starc Strikes First!
Aiden Markram faced the first delivery, and Starc immediately looked to bring the ball in toward the right-hander. Markram left the initial deliveries alone, but Starc stuck to a probing line and length. The pressure paid off on the final ball of the over; Markram was clean bowled for a six-ball duck. A dream start for Australia, as South Africa lost their first wicket without a run on the board.
Wiaan Mulder walked in at number 3, facing a tough task as the surface became quicker and more testing than earlier in the day. He focused on survival while Rickelton added a few boundaries to tick the scoreboard along.
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Starc struck again in his fourth over. Rickelton, who had been uncomfortable against the left-armer earlier, edged a full delivery going away from him to the slips, where Usman Khawaja took a sharp catch. Rickelton departed for 16 (33), and South Africa were in trouble at 19/2 after 9 overs.
Pat Cummins ends Wiaan Mulder Misery
Pat Cummins replaced Josh Hazlewood and took the ball from the other end as South African captain Temba Bavuma arrived at the crease. The pattern continued with tight lines, defensive batting, and slow scoring. Over the next five overs, only four runs were added. Bavuma remained scoreless, and Mulder, despite surviving for a while, was eventually bowled by Cummins for 6 (44), beaten through the gate. South Africa slumped further to 25/3.
Josh Hazlewood's turn
Tristan Stubbs joined Bavuma, but the resistance didn’t last long. Josh Hazlewood soon got into the act, delivering a full ball that angled in and beat Stubbs’ defense, knocking over his middle stump. Stubbs departed for just 2 (13), and South Africa were reeling at 30/4 in 20 overs.
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David Bedingham came in and played more positively than his teammates, striking two boundaries and giving South Africa a small boost heading into stumps. At the close of play, South Africa were 43/4, with Bavuma on 3* (37) and Bedingham on 8* (9).
Day 1 at Lords Belongs to Bowlers
A total of 14 wickets fell as both sides capitalized on changing conditions. South Africa, bowling under overcast skies, made use of a slower pitch with Rabada taking 5/51 to restrict Australia to 212. But when the sun came out, the surface hardened and quickened, allowing the Australian pace trio to take full control, ending the day with a clear advantage.
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