Dynamic batter Travis Head was dismissed by Marco Jansen in the first session of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final between Australia and South Africa at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, thanks to a brilliant catch by Kyle Verreynne.
South Africa won the toss and opted to field first in overcast conditions. By lunch on Day 1, Australia were struggling at 67 for 4 in 23.2 overs, with the Proteas dominating the morning session.
Head was the fourth Australian wicket to fall, dismissed at a crucial moment just before the lunch break. Jansen bowled one down the leg side, and Head attempted a flick. However, he only managed a faint edge, which was brilliantly caught one-handed by Verreynne diving to his right. Head returned to the pavilion with 11 runs off 13 balls. His dismissal left the defending champions reeling at 67 for 4.
Earlier, Kagiso Rabada made early inroads, dismissing Usman Khawaja for a duck and Cameron Green for four. Jansen removed Marnus Labuschagne for 17 before claiming Head’s wicket. Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 26 off 51 balls at the break, trying to anchor the innings.
South Africa’s pace attack, led by Rabada, conceded only nine runs in six overs at an impressive economy rate of 1.50. Jansen gave away 27 runs in 7.2 overs at an economy of 3.68. Both exploited the conditions brilliantly, dismantling Australia’s top order. The run rate dropped to three, reflecting the immense pressure applied by the Proteas bowlers.
With key batters already back in the pavilion, Australia will now rely heavily on Smith and the lower middle order to post a respectable total in this high-stakes final.
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