WTC Final: Kagiso Rabada Surpasses Allan Donald, Claims Historic Five-Wicket Haul at Lord’s
In a display of sheer pace and precision, South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada etched his name into the history books on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. With a breathtaking performance of 5/51, Rabada not only dismantled the Australian batting line-up, restricting them to a modest 212, but also surpassed the legendary Allan Donald to become South Africa’s fourth-highest Test wicket-taker.
Rabada’s latest feat brings his Test wicket tally to 332 in 71 matches, edging past Donald’s 330 scalps in 72 games. Reflecting on this monumental achievement, Rabada expressed his gratitude and determination. “It means a lot to get past Allan Donald, what a legend. My primary focus is to keep running in and doing the job for my country,” he said after the day’s play. His passion for representing South Africa shone through as he added, “Coming here a week ago, I could already feel the atmosphere. The support feels like a home game. I’ve given my all every time, and I’m happy to do the job.”
The fiery pacer’s performance was not just about numbers; it was a masterclass in exploiting conditions at Lord’s, a venue that has become his personal fortress. In just three Tests at the ‘Home of Cricket,’ Rabada has claimed 18 wickets at an astounding average of 16.83 and a strike rate of 30.2. His latest haul made him the South African with the most Test wickets at Lord’s, overtaking Morne Morkel’s 15, and joining an elite group with multiple five-wicket hauls at the ground alongside Donald and Makhaya Ntini.
Discussing the pitch and conditions, Rabada revealed his tactical approach. “The ball was moving around a bit. With the new ball, scoring seemed tough for the batsmen. As it got softer, and they showed intent, they managed some runs. But on this wicket, especially with their aggressive style, you always felt any ball could take a wicket,” he explained. His assessment proved spot-on as his relentless line and searing pace troubled the Australian top order throughout the day.
Rabada’s heroics also etched his name in the WTC Final record books. He became only the second player to claim a five-wicket haul in a WTC Final, following New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson who achieved the feat against India in 2021. Additionally, he joined South African legend Jacques Kallis as the only South Africans to take five wickets in a major ICC tournament final, with Kallis having claimed 5/30 in the 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy final. Rabada’s consistency in ICC knockout matches is equally impressive, with 11 wickets in five games at an average of 19.27, placing him third on South Africa’s all-time list behind Kallis (14) and level with Shaun Pollock and Donald (12 each).
As the WTC Final unfolds, Rabada’s performance has set the tone for South Africa’s campaign. His ability to dominate at Lord’s—often dubbed the ultimate test for fast bowlers—reinforces his status as one of the modern greats. With every thunderous delivery, Kagiso Rabada is not just breaking records but also carrying forward the legacy of South African pace bowling on the world stage.