WTC Final: Ricky Ponting sees McGrath's reflection in Rabada's Lord's dominance

Australia legend Ricky Ponting has drawn a striking parallel between South Africa's pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada and his former Australia teammate Glenn McGrath, after Rabada's fiery spell on the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's saw him etch his name onto the Honours Board once again.

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Rabada's five-wicket haul, his 17th in Test cricket, was the cornerstone of South Africa's bowling dominance against Australia on Wednesday, with fellow quick Marco Jansen also contributing significantly as the duo shared eight wickets. It marked Rabada's second successive five-wicket haul in a Test innings at Lord's, replicating his 2022 performance against England.

Speaking to ICC Digital, Ponting was full of praise for the South African duo and made a telling comparison between Rabada's mastery of Lord's conditions and McGrath's famed success at the historic venue.

"Glenn McGrath was also exactly the same at Lord's. McGrath loved bowling at Lord's and loved being able to use the slope both ways from either end of the ground, which is something that is probably not talked about as much as it should be," Ponting said, highlighting Rabada's intelligent use of the unique conditions.

Impressed with Rabada and Jansen's efforts, Ponting believes the pair is right up there in terms of opening bowling combinations in world cricket.