Kagiso Rabada was in top form on Day 1 of the World Test Championship final against Australia, producing a brilliant five-wicket haul that helped dismiss the opposition for just 212 runs. His figures of 5 for 51 in 15.4 overs gave South Africa a much-needed boost and shifted the momentum firmly in their favour.
Rabada’s fast and accurate bowling unsettled the Australian batters during a key phase of the match at Lord’s. This performance was not just significant in the context of the match but also a major personal milestone, as he overtook the legendary Allan Donald in South Africa’s list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket.
Historic Feats and ICC Records
At 30 years old, Kagiso Rabada now has 332 wickets in 71 Tests, pushing past Donald’s 330 wickets from 72 matches. He currently holds the fourth spot on South Africa’s all-time Test wicket-takers list. His five-wicket haul also made him only the second bowler to achieve this feat in a WTC final, after New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson, who did it in 2021 against India.
Furthermore, Rabada became only the second South African to claim a five-wicket haul in the final of a major ICC tournament, a record previously held by Jacques Kallis who had figures of 5 for 30 in the 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy final. Rabada’s record in ICC knockouts is equally remarkable—he now has 11 wickets in five matches at an average of 19.27, which highlights his ability to perform under pressure.
A Dominant Force at Lord’s
Rabada’s latest five-for is now his best performance in an ICC knockout game and places him joint-third on South Africa’s list of highest wicket-takers in such matches, alongside Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald, and behind only Jacques Kallis. Lord’s has always been a successful venue for Rabada. In just three Tests there, he has taken 18 wickets at an average of 16.83 with a strike rate of 30.2.
This effort against Australia allowed him to overtake Morne Morkel’s tally of 15 wickets, making Rabada the South African with the most Test wickets at the iconic ground. Additionally, he joined the ranks of Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini as the only South African bowlers with more than one five-wicket haul at Lord’s, proving once again why he remains one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in the world today.
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