Credit: ICC
On Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at the iconic Lord’s, South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada looked in brilliant touch against Australia and grabbed a five-wicket haul. Rabada’s performance has been extraordinary at Lord’s as he has taken 18 wickets in South Africa whites. Noting his sensational performance at the iconic venue, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting compared the 30-year-old speedster with the former Aussie quick Glenn McGrath, whose record is remarkable at the distinguished cricket ground. During his career, McGrath also played three Tests at Lord’s and grabbed 26 wickets in six innings.
Appearing in an ICC show, Ponting drew similarities between Rabada and McGrath and said, “Glenn McGrath was also exactly the same at Lord's. McGrath loved bowling at Lord's and loved being able to use the slope both ways from either end of the ground, which is something that is probably not talked about as much as it should be. These big games are all about your big name players. Your star players have to stand up in these games."
Kagiso Rabada and Ricky Ponting worked together in IPL
Both Rabada and Ponting worked together for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2017 to 2021. Under Ponting’s coaching, Rabada recorded his best league season in 2020 as he took 30 wickets in 17 matches and won the illustrious Purple Cap.
Discussing current development in the WTC 2025 final at Lord’s, as of writing, Australia are 48/4 in the second innings, with Travis Head (one off two) and Beau Webster (0 off 0) at the crease. The Aussies have taken a lead of 122 runs thus far in the match. Rabada has picked up two wickets for South Africa while Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi have also got one wicket apiece.
