AUS vs SA Highlights, WTC Final 2025: South Africa 43/4 at stumps on Day 1, trail Australia by 169 runs

Australia vs South Africa Live Score, ICC WTC Final 2025: The 2025 World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s brings together two sides at very different points in their cricketing narratives. South Africa are desperate to end a 27-year ICC trophy drought and shed their long-standing image as cricket’s great underachievers. Despite past collapses — like the T20 World Cup final loss to India — coach Shukri Conrad insists this squad should not be burdened by history.

Captain Temba Bavuma agrees, pointing to Australia's unsettled batting as a potential weakness to exploit.

Australia, meanwhile, are reshaping their top-order. Marnus Labuschagne, usually at number three, will open for the first time as a replacement for David Warner. Cameron Green slots in at No. 3, returning from injury, while Josh Hazlewood reclaims his place in the XI over Scott Boland, who misses out despite stellar recent performances. All-rounder Beau Webster adds balance in case Green can’t bowl fully.

South Africa have made bold choices too — most notably pushing Wiaan Mulder to number three despite limited experience. Bavuma said the young batter is trusted and has grown in the red-ball format.

While the WTC format has been criticised for imbalance and inequality in fixtures, players still hold the mace in high regard. Australia’s Cummins said it remains one of the toughest prizes, requiring wins across conditions.

With elite fast bowlers, vulnerable batting orders, and history weighing differently on each side, the Lord’s final promises a riveting contest. For Australia, it's about asserting a golden era. For South Africa, it's a shot at rewriting their destiny.

13:31 (IST) Jun 11

Australia vs South Africa Live Score, WTC Final: Hazlewood In, Boland Out - Tough call for Australia

Josh Hazlewood returns to Australia’s playing XI at the expense of the unlucky Scott Boland, despite the latter’s heroics in the previous WTC cycle. Boland took 10 wickets in the last Test against India but misses out having never played at Lord’s.

Hazlewood, on the other hand, has a stellar record at the venue and adds experience to the pace attack.

Cummins sympathised with Boland’s omission, saying, “There are some guys where you genuinely say, you’ve done nothing wrong.”

All-rounder Beau Webster has been included to offer support overs as Green is not fully fit to bowl, further showcasing Australia’s flexible planning.

13:08 (IST) Jun 11

AUS vs SA WTC Final Live Score: Australia's opening puzzle - Labuschagne to the rescue

Marnus Labuschagne, typically Australia’s number three, has been elevated to open the innings in a bold move from Pat Cummins.

The Aussies have struggled to replace David Warner, with several candidates including Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, and teenager Sam Konstas failing to nail down the role.

Labuschagne, who hasn’t scored a Test century in nearly two years, will now partner Usman Khawaja.

Cameron Green returns at number three, with Cummins believing his form and composure suit the slot best. The shuffle reflects both Australia's instability up top and a strategic attempt to shore up the middle order with Smith and Head.

13:07 (IST) Jun 11

WTC Final 2025 Live Score: Wiaan Mulder’s big test at Number Three

The Proteas have gambled by slotting Wiaan Mulder in at number three, a role he has barely occupied in his Test career. Mulder, who only recently began delivering with the bat down the order, faces a baptism by fire against the Australian attack.

Bavuma admitted that the 27-year-old was still growing in the red-ball format but said the team was backing him to embrace the challenge.

“It is about giving him a lot more confidence and allowing him to do what he does best,” the skipper said. Mulder's performance could be pivotal, particularly if South Africa lose early wickets against Cummins and Starc.

13:07 (IST) Jun 11

Australia vs South Africa Live Score, WTC Final: Bavuma targets Australia's batting vulnerability

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma believes the final could be decided by the strength — or lack thereof — in the batting departments. He highlighted Australia’s reshuffling at the top, particularly the promotion of Marnus Labuschagne to opener, as a potential area to exploit.

“The real opportunity is within the two batting line-ups and how they are able to front up,” said Bavuma.

With both sides boasting fearsome bowling attacks, it may well be the less experienced, less settled batting units that tip the scales.

For South Africa, success might lie in early wickets and exposing Australia’s untested combinations in English conditions.

13:06 (IST) Jun 11

AUS vs SA WTC Final Live Score: Shukri Conrad - Breaking from the past

South Africa coach Shukri Conrad believes this current side deserves to be judged on its own merit, not through the prism of past failures.

"It's unfair to burden this group with anything that's gone before," he said, brushing off the choker narrative. He sees the WTC Final as an opportunity, not a haunting.

South Africa sealed their spot by winning six straight Tests, despite fielding a weakened side in New Zealand.

Conrad has also been vocal in defending the Proteas' WTC journey, countering criticism that they benefitted from an imbalanced format by pointing out that teams they defeated — like West Indies and New Zealand — had themselves humbled the likes of Australia and India.

13:05 (IST) Jun 11

WTC Final 2025 Live Score: Proteas chase redemption amid choker tag

South Africa return to the summit of world cricket with a burning desire to shed their long-standing label of “chokers.”

Despite possessing generational talents over the decades, the Proteas have failed to convert their potential into trophies, with their only ICC silverware coming 27 years ago in the 1998 KnockOut Trophy.

Their most recent heartbreak came in the T20 World Cup final last year, where a collapse saw them lose to India despite needing just 30 runs off 30 balls with six wickets in hand.

Now, under the calm leadership of Temba Bavuma and coach Shukri Conrad, they enter the WTC Final at Lord’s not just chasing victory, but validation.

Australia vs South Africa Live Score, ICC WTC Final 2025: South Africa are aiming to end decades of heartbreak by winning their first ICC title since 1998 as they face reigning champions Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Despite a reputation for choking under pressure, coach Shukri Conrad insists this Proteas side is unburdened by the past and deserves its own legacy.

Captain Temba Bavuma has identified Australia’s unsettled top-order — especially the promotion of Marnus Labuschagne to opener — as a key opportunity.

South Africa’s own changes include Wiaan Mulder’s surprise selection at number three, with Bavuma urging trust in his growth. Australia, meanwhile, have opted for Josh Hazlewood over Scott Boland, and returned Cameron Green at No. 3 after back surgery.

Australia’s captain Pat Cummins, who led them to the 2023 ODI World Cup title, sees victory at Lord’s as another chance to reinforce their legacy.

It’s a classic duel: one team haunted by history, the other chasing sustained dominance. With elite bowling on both sides and question marks over both top-orders, the stage is set for a thrilling finale to cricket’s longest format.

TOI

AUS vs SA Highlights, WTC Final 2025: South Africa 43/4 at stumps on Day 1, trail Australia by 169 runs

Match Statistics

Venue

Lord's Cricket Ground, London

AUS PLAYING XI

SA PLAYING XI

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