Seems like the reigning World Test Champions are finding it difficult to make their way through the Proteas speedsters. After 3 early fall of wickets by Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jensen, Australia had their strongest duo on the crease. With Head failing to create an impact in the first innings, dismissed by Marco Jensen, he has to perform in the second innings to redeem himself. Steve Smith is still on the crease, but the top order has been totally dismantled by the Proteas speedsters.
TRAVIS HEAD GOOOOONE!!
Exceptional take by Verreynne 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/OA6hK0EGW1---Advertisement---— Werner (@Werries_) June 11, 2025
Steve Smith and Travis Head have a huge responsibility on themselves to build a potential partnership in the second innings. Travis Head and Steve Smith have to redeem Australia and recreate their magic from 2023 WTC finals against Australia where Australia stumbled on 76 with 3 wickets and the ‘Partners in Crime’ brought back the team and built a breathtaking partnership of 285 runs, with Head’s blazing 163 and Smith’s elegant 121 which led Australia to a total of 469 in the first innings.
Head And Smith’s Partnership
The World Test Championship Final 2023 was played between India and Australia from June 7 to 11 at The Oval in London. Australia won the match by 209 runs and became the Test champions. Travis Head played a great innings, scoring 163 runs, and was named Player of the Match. Steve Smith also scored 121 runs. India tried to fight back, but their batting failed on the last day, with Ajinkya Rahane being the highest run scorer for India. Australia’s strong performance with the ball helped them wrap up the Indians’ 1st innings for just 296 and the second for a mere 234.
Rabada’s Blistering Performance Against Australia
The Proteas speedster shook the Australian top order by dismissing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green. While Khawaja went back to the hut without scoring any runs after 19 dot balls from Rabad, Cameron Green also failed to create an impact with the bat and departed on just 4 runs. This pushed the reigning world champions on the back foot. With Khawaja’s wicket, Rabada also achieved another milestone of taking 50 Test wickets against Australia. He has been featured in 11 Test matches against Australia and has taken 51 wickets.
Teams
South Africa (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma(c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne(w), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Also Read: Kagiso Rabada Takes Down World Number 1 Jasprit Bumrah In Test Cricket By Taking Just 1 Wicket
