Lord’s, London: The highly anticipated 2025 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final between Australia and South Africa at Lord’s has already etched itself into the history books on Day 1, as an unprecedented event unfolded – the number one batter from both sides being dismissed for a duck in the first innings. This marks a never-seen-before feat in a Test match played in England, a tradition dating back 145 years to 1880.
A Rare Double Duck: Khawaja and Markram Fall for Zero
The unique statistical anomaly began when Australian opener Usman Khawaja, facing 20 balls, was dismissed without scoring by South African paceman Kagiso Rabada in the seventh over of Australia’s first innings. Later in the day, during South Africa’s reply, opener Aiden Markram suffered the same fate, falling for a six-ball duck to Mitchell Starc in the very first over of their innings.
This unfortunate double duck for the designated “number one” batters in each side’s first innings is only the tenth such instance in the entire history of Test cricket globally, and remarkably, the first ever in England. Six of these ten instances have involved Australia, including the last four.
Bowlers Dominate Eventful Day 1
The unusual dismissals were part of a day heavily dominated by the bowlers. After South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl, Australia were bowled out for 212 runs. Kagiso Rabada was the star for the Proteas, claiming an impressive five-wicket haul for 51 runs.
However, Australia’s pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, fought back fiercely. They ripped through South Africa’s top order, leaving them reeling at 43/4 at stumps on Day 1, trailing Australia by 169 runs. Starc picked up two crucial wickets, including Markram, while Cummins and Hazlewood chipped in with one each.
A Day of Records and Resilience
While Khawaja and Markram’s ducks created an unwanted record, other notable performances emerged. Steve Smith and Beau Webster played resilient half-centuries for Australia, scoring 66 and 72 respectively, to provide some much-needed stability to their innings after an early collapse. Smith, in particular, broke records by becoming the highest run-scorer among visiting Test batters at Lord’s.
The match, true to a WTC Final, has already provided thrilling cricket with 14 wickets falling on the opening day, setting the stage for a captivating contest.
