Kagiso Rabada delivered an exceptional performance on the opening day of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, finishing with figures of 5/51 in 15.4 overs. This impressive spell enabled South Africa to dismiss the defending champions for just 212 at Lord’s, positioning his team favorably in the high-pressure match.
The five-wicket haul was a historic achievement. Rabada exceeded the record of legendary pacer Allan Donald and became South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 332 wickets in 71 Tests, surpassing Donald’s 330 wickets in 72 matches.
This feat also secured Rabada a unique WTC final record. He became only the second bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in a WTC Final, following Kyle Jamieson of New Zealand, who accomplished it against India in 2021. Rabada’s performance is now a highlight among bowling performances in WTC final history.
Rabada is known for his ability to perform well under pressure; he has 11 wickets in five ICC knockout games with an impressive average of 19.27. His recent performance at Lord’s represents his career-best in an ICC final, placing him joint-third on South Africa’s list of knockout match wicket-takers along with Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald.
Lord’s remains a ground where Rabada excels. He has taken 18 wickets in only three Tests at the iconic venue, with an average of 16.83. He has also surpassed Morne Morkel’s record (15 wickets) to become South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in Tests at Lord’s. Rabada now belongs to the select group of Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini, with two five-wicket hauls at the ground.