WTC final: Smith, Rabada shine as wickets tumble

SA pacer takes a fifer to dismiss Australia for 212, but are 43/4 in reply on a lively pitch at Lord's on Day One

- HT Correspondent

NEW DELHI: It has been a summer of lows for Kagiso Rabada. The South African spearhead quietly flew home from the Indian Premier League before it emerged that he had been suspended for a month for the use of recreational drug, which was recently revealed as cocaine. Recreational drug use is seen in the world of sport as worse than doping. The fast bowler apologised, but his involvement in Gujarat Titans' campaign was marginal.

On Wednesday, a chastised, and well-rested Rabada was ready after South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma chose to bowl in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord's. On a spicy pitch where the ball swung and seamed through the day, he was a handful every time he pitched it right. Evidence of his effect was figures of 5/51 as WTC champions Australia were dismissed for 212.

South Africa were in serious trouble as they were reduced to 43/4 at stumps, 169 runs behind. The 14 wickets tumbling in the day pointed to a bowler-dominated Test that is likely to be a truncated affair. That would be a let down considering the near full-house that attended on the opening day.