[WATCH] WTC Final 2025: Temba Bavuma's beautiful cover drives off Mitchell Starc kickstart Day 2. (Photo source: X/ICC)
Pro batter displayed early intent in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 against Australia at the iconic Lord’s in London. It was Australia who ended Day 1 on top, with the Proteas reeling at 43/4 at Stumps, however, the first-time finalists had their intent straight as the next day got underway.
In the 25th over of the Proteas’ innings, the left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc came to bowl and Bavuma struck two boundaries. On the first ball, he drove a fuller delivery pitched wide outside off through the covers for a four. Four balls later in the same over, Bavuma capitalized on the width again, this time lofting the ball over backward point, beating the fielder near the boundary ropes.
Watch the video of Bavuma's lofted cover drives hereThe South African captain looked solid before falling to his Australian counterpart , caught brilliantly by Marnus Labuschagne for a well fought 36. Bavuma’s 64-run partnership for the fifth wicket with David Bedingham offered brief resistance.
Earlier in the match, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada topped with the ball, finishing with figures of 5/47 in 15.4 overs, leading the Proteas bowling attack. Australia posted 212 in their first innings, with decent knocks from Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72).
South Africa began their reply in the final session of the day, but Starc set the tone immediately, removing Aiden Markram in the very first over. He later dismissed Ryan Rickelton as well, while Cummins and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with one wicket each to leave the South African innings in trouble early on.
