SA 43/4 in 22 Overs (Stumps) | South Africa vs Australia Live Score Updates of ICC WTC 2025 Final Day 1: Bowlers Dominate Opening Day With Australia Slightly Ahead

Stumps! That's the end of Day 1's play and it has been a fascinating three sessions. Bowlers from both sides were on the frontfoot as first South Africa bowled out Australia for just 212 on the board with Kagiso Rabada scalping a five-wicket haul. As it seemed like South Africa can edge ahead, the trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood dominate pushing them to 43/4 in just more than a half session of play on Day 1. The Proteas still have a long distance to go but 14 wickets on Day 1 will surely indicate how the pitch has been for the day. Steve Smith and Beau Webster played two crucial innings and looking back, they might be the difference maker. Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham have task cut out for them as Australia are slightly ahead here at the end of Day 1. 

Out! Tristan Stubbs departs and South Africa are in trouble. They have never got momentum in their innings and after toiling and struggling throughout the third season they have not found ways to score runs and had to concede wickets. This time Josh Hazlewood sets up Stubbs and brings one back to rattle his stumps. South Africa need a jailbreak from here. Stubbs b Hazlewood 2(13).

Out! Pat Cummins joins the game and Wiaan Mulder departs. Mulder survived earlier after nicking a delivery as Alex Carey dropped a sitter. This time, Cummins goes really full but the ball comes in to knock over the stumps of Mulder who went for an expansive drive. South Africa have got to nowhere with their innings so far. They have to be brave from here on. Mulder b Cummins 6(44).

Out! Mitchell Starc steps up in a big final once again. Got one to swing late, close around Ryan Rickelton's bat, luring him into the drive. Rickelton goes for it and gets an outside edge which flew to the hands of the slip fielder who gobbled a very easy catch. Crucial breakthrough for Australia and Starc looking good makes it better. Rickelton c Khawaja b Mitchell Starc 16(23).

Out! Mitchell Starc strikesi n the first over. When Starc himself was dismissed, we pointed out, he won't mind it if he gets the same movement off the deck. He gets it now and Aiden Markram ends up playing a tentative drive to it, getting an inside edge which crashed into the stumps. South Africa's test begins against the quality Australia bowling attack. Markram b Mitchell Starc 0(6).

Out! That's It! Quality bowling from Kagiso Rabada at the biggest of stages. Once again attacked the stumps, big movement and Mitchell Starc's stumps got rattled. He won't mind though if the nature of the surface remains like that. Although this is the moment for Kagiso Rabada. Scalped a five-wicket haul and played the big role in restricting Australia to 212. South Africa will have the batting challenge in their hands now. Mitchell Starc b Rabada 1(12).

Out! After the Tea break, both the South African strike bowlers have returned and have been on point throughout. This time Marco Jansen makes one nip back in from off stump line and Nathan Lyon got foxed and cleaned up. Only one wicket remain now for Australia. South Africa will want to end this soon and have the opportunity to have a big lead.  Lyon b Marco Jansen 0(4).

Out! Kagiso Rabada continues his form and South Africa start the third session by dismissing the two set batters. Rabada lands it on length, Beau Webster goes for the drive on the up and the ball gets the edge to fly to the slips. Easy catch in the end and Webster departs. Only the tail remains for Australia now and South Africa will not want it to wag. Webster c Bedingham b Rabada 72(92).

Out! Kagiso Rabada helps South Africa push a little more towards cleaning up the Australian tail as he cleans up Pat Cummins. Pitches it on off middle and the ball seams just enough take his off stump off. Rabada has been sensational throughout the day and he will want to end the Aussie innings soon. Cummins b Rabada 1(6).

Out! Keshav Maharaj enters the play. A loopy delivery onto off, spins in after pitching. Carey plays a reverse sweep off the first ball of the spinner in this session. The ball ends up sneaking under his bat and knocks his stumps over. Another wicket after a partnership against the run of play. South Africa will want to clean up the tail soon now.  Carey b Maharaj 23(31).

Some solid batting from Beau Webster and Alex Carey towards the later half of the second session and it can be said if the first session went to South Africa, Australia pretty much clawed their way back into the game. They are confirmed to have a fighting score from here on and Webster, after some lucky survivals upfront has looked very composed. South Africa will have to regroup and return strong in the next session. 

Out! Wicket against the run of play and it is the massive wicket of the dangerous Steve Smith. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen had to be rested. Lungi Ngidi was not looking at his best. Steve Smith was peppering spin and Temba Bavuma tried his luck with Aiden Markram to change ends for Wiaan Mulder. He floated one in, Smith threw his bat and it flew to Marco Jansen at the slips. Jansen juggled it and then ended up grabbing it. Massive moment. Smith c Marco Jansen b Markram 66(112).

Fifty! Class innings from Steve Smith. Even under pressure, he has shined. Looked in control since he came to the crease. Never panicked, Played each ball on its merit and took the scoring opportunities too. He knows the team needs him to score runs and he has to stay as long as possible. 

Oh! Bad luck for Marco Jansen again. Comes round the wicket, brings one in. Beau Webster went across to cut down the angle but the ball got the better of him to hit the pads. Umpire gives not out, Temba Bavuma goes for the review, replay shows impact being umpires call. Webster survived a very close call and Australia are slightly relieved. 

Out! Fourth wicket down and lunch break is taken. It is the big wicket of Travis Head and a body blow for Australia. Marco Jansen again goes down the leg, Head tries to flick and gets a brush on the ball. The ball was flying away but Kyle Verreynne took a sensational diving one-handed catch to show Head the route to the pavillion. Head was clearly disappointed but South Africa were happy as they did well with the ball in the first session. Head c Verreynne b Marco Jansen 11(13).

Close for Steve Smith, but he survives narrowly. Marco Jansen angles the ball in, Smith as usual shuffles and tries to get it away on the onside. The ball hits the pads and umpire gives it not out. South Africa go for the DRS and the replay shows umpires call on hitting. Although Temba Bavuma and co save the review, they would have loved another wicket here. 

Out! Marnus Labuschagne departs after playing another passive innings. He too tried to survive just like Usman Khawaja and not to score runs while South Africa settled and shuffled through their plans. Marco Jasen used the scrambled seam, made one nip just away and Labuschagne prodded towards it getting a nick. Easy catch for the wicketkeeper. South Africa will be happy with the situation. Labuschagne c Verreynne b Marco Jansen 17(56).

Out! Two in one over and it is the dangerous Cameron Green. Kagiso Rabada goes full, uses the wobble seam and the ball moves a touch away as Green goes for the straight drive based on the length. Edges it and it goes low to the slips where Aiden Markram keeps his eyes on and takes a very good low catch/ Temba Bavuma will be elated to see Steve Smith out on crease so early. Green c Markram b Rabada 4(3).

Out! Usman Khawaja's strategy to wear out the shine of the new ball through judgements has failed. He has played 20 balls and has not scored any runs. Too passive to start with and Kagiso Rabada settled on his length to take one just away and find that edge of Khawaja. David Bedingham took a comfortable but crucial catch in the slips. South Africa draw first blood. Khawaja c Bedingham b Rabada 0(20).

The Australian openers have negotiated the new ball attack from South Africa comfortably now. There has been occasions when the ball has seamed away or hit their body but they have not been fazed by it and continued to build the foundation. Temba Bavuma will want some breakthrough soon.