By MRA Digital Sports Desk, June 12 2025
The skies over Lord’s were grey, the wind carried a chill, and yet, the cricket burned hot. Fourteen wickets fell. Rabada roared. Smith stood tall. Starc struck like lightning. It wasn’t just Day 1 of a Test match. It was a war, silent, sharp, and swinging with every ball.
The Aussie Resistance: Smith and Webster Lead the Fight
Australia’s start? Ugly. Three wickets down for just 34. The top order had no answers to Kagiso Rabada’s fierce pace and movement. Then came Steve Smith, calm as always, the old general who knows every blade of Lord’s grass.
He batted for 112 balls and scored 66 runs. Another steady hand on a sinking ship. But the real surprise came from Beau Webster, confident, quick, and bold. He smashed 72 off just 92 balls.
Together, they stitched a 95-run stand. It was the only bright patch in an otherwise shaky innings.
Rabada Returns, Fast, Furious, and Fully in Control
Five for 51 in 15.4 overs. Those numbers tell a story of class, rhythm, and control.
Rabada made the ball talk in the cloudy morning. He swung it both ways and rattled the Aussie lineup. This was his second five-wicket haul at Lord’s, and it showed. Every spell had energy. Every delivery had intent.
Marco Jansen added to the damage with three wickets of his own. Australia were all out for 212. Not a big score, but not bad considering where they started.
Aussie Bowlers Hit Back; SA Crumble to 43 for 4
If South Africa thought they had the upper hand, they were wrong. Mitchell Starc came charging in like a storm. His pace was frightening. His control was ruthless.
And right behind him, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood did what they do best seam, swing, and silence.
By the end of Day 1, South Africa were 43 for 4, trailing by 169 runs and holding on by a thread. The Aussies had bounced back, and bounced back hard.
The Day in Numbers
• Fourteen wickets in one day. A mix of drama, discipline, and dream bowling
• Rabada’s second five-for at Lord’s, pure experience on show
• Smith becomes the top overseas run-scorer at Lord’s, another record to his name
What Comes Next?
South Africa are deep in trouble. They need big innings from someone, maybe Elgar, maybe Bavuma. But they can’t afford more early wickets.
Australia will smell blood. One or two more wickets in the morning, and they’re in full control of the Test.
This isn’t just cricket. It’s chess. Every move, every delivery, counts.
Final Word
As the sun dipped over the old Pavilion at Lord’s, only one feeling lingered in the air.
“This is not just a match. This is battle. Dressed in white. Played in silence. Written in swing.”
