Credit: ICC
Kyle Verrynne displayed an exceptional level of alacrity to assist pacer Marco Jansen to get rid of dangerous Travis Head in the first innings of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final getting played at the iconic Lord’s. Batting first after, Australia lost three quick wickets at a score of 46. In the pressure situation, Head went into the middle to join Steven Smith. Both betters were expected to stabilise Aussie innings as they did against India in the previous edition of the WTC final played at the Oval. South Africa, who were emboldened after picking up wickets in quick succession, knew the importance of removing both Aussies from the crease.
In the 24th over, Jansen bowled a delivery towards the leg side, which was attempted by Head to play a shot towards the fine leg. The ball kissed Head’s bat and went towards the back side, where the Protea wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne showed his nimbleness and divided his right to seal a magnificent grab with one hand. Head, who was looking to settle at the crease, went back to the dugout after scoring 11 off 13.
Steven Smith registers 42nd Test fifty
Following the quick fall of four wickets, Steven Smith stepped up and notched up his 42nd red-ball fifty. His effective 66-run innings helped the Aussies to snatch the momentum from the Protea team. The 36-year-old lost his wicket against Aiden Markram, who came to bowl his first over in the match.
Following Smith’s footsteps, Beau Webster also smashed his half century. It is his second Test fifty. As of writing, lost seven wickets under 200 runs with Webster and Mitchell Starc. South Africa pacer has taken three wickets so far on day one of the match.
