WTC Final Thriller: Steve Smith Baffled by Markram Dismissal at Lord’s
In a gripping start to the World Test Championship Final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, Steve Smith etched his name into history as Australia battled South Africa on a dramatic Day 1. Despite a valiant 66, Smith’s dismissal by part-time spinner Aiden Markram left the star batter stunned, while South Africa’s pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada tore through the Aussie lineup to set up a tantalizing contest.
Australia, opting to bat under overcast skies, stumbled early to a precarious 4-67 as South Africa’s decision to bowl first paid dividends. Smith, walking in at a critical juncture, played a pivotal role in the recovery, stitching together a 79-run partnership with Beau Webster for the fifth wicket. His composed innings not only steadied the ship but also saw him surpass legends Don Bradman (551 runs) and Warren Bardsley (575 runs) to become the most successful overseas batter at Lord’s, a record that had stood for nearly a century.
Yet, the moment that defined Smith’s day was his unexpected downfall. Facing Markram’s part-time off-spin, Smith nicked one down the famous Lord’s slope, a dismissal that left him utterly perplexed. ‘Don’t nick the part-time off-spinner. Down the slope. I’m still trying to fathom how I’ve done that,’ a visibly frustrated Smith remarked post-play. He added, ‘I felt in a nice place. I love batting at Lord’s. I enjoyed my time out there, but unfortunately, I left a few runs in the shed.’
On the other side, South Africa’s bowling attack was relentless, with Kagiso Rabada leading the charge. The fiery pacer claimed his second five-wicket haul at Lord’s, surpassing Morne Morkel’s record of 15 wickets to become South Africa’s most successful bowler at the venue with 18 wickets. Rabada also overtook Allan Donald’s career Test tally of 330 wickets, climbing to fourth on South Africa’s all-time list with 332 scalps. Reflecting on the day, Rabada noted, ‘The ball was nipping quite a bit and moving off the slope. But I felt batters could still get in. If you bowl consistently in the right areas, you create chances.’
Smith offered keen insights into the pitch conditions, typical of Lord’s on Day 1. ‘It always offers a little bit of something, even when the wicket looks quite white. I’ve seen one-day wickets here seam a lot, especially with the newer ball. As the grass dies down, I think it’ll offer less,’ he explained, hinting at a potential shift in dynamics as the match progresses.
Finishing at 212 all out, Australia remain optimistic despite the challenges. Smith emphasized the importance of early breakthroughs on Day 2: ‘Hopefully, we can get a few early wickets in the morning, go through them, and build a bit of a lead. That’s the ideal scenario for us right now.’ With Australia defending their number one Test ranking and South Africa eyeing a historic triumph, this WTC Final promises more drama in the days ahead.
As the battle resumes, all eyes will be on whether Australia’s bowlers, led by the likes of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, can exploit the conditions as effectively as South Africa did. For now, this clash at the home of cricket is poised on a knife-edge, with both teams showcasing why they’ve earned their spot in this marquee event.