![[WATCH] WTC Final 2025: Big blow to Australia as Travis Head falls cheaply on 1st day vs South Africa](https://cricketmood.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/absolute-stunner-from-Kyle-Verreynne-and-Travis-Head-goes.jpg "[WATCH] WTC Final 2025: Big blow to Australia as Travis Head falls cheaply on 1st day vs South Africa 1")
Australian batsman Travis Head was dismissed shortly before lunch on Day 1 of the World Test Championship 2025 Final (WTC) at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, as South Africa took control of the one-off match.
In the 24th over, with Head and Steve Smith at the crease, Marco Jansen produced a fuller ball angled down the leg side. Head remained in his crease and attempted a flick, but only got a faint tickle. Kyle Verreynne, the wicketkeeper, responded immediately, diving to his right and making a fantastic one-handed catch. The dismissal of Travis Head caused the lunch break, resulting in a dominant session for the Proteas.
The Proteas pacers, Kagiso Rabada and Jansen, were merciless with the new ball, putting the Australian hitters under continual strain. South Africa’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss by pointing out the cloudy weather proved to be advantageous to the Proteas.
Watch the viral dismissal of Travis Head here:
#MarcoJansen dismisses TravisHead after a splendid catch by #KyleVerreynne behind the stumps! 🔥
LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/9lZGHcdeVP #WTCFinal | #SAvAUS, Day 1, watch LIVE on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/i4HNMMtsrW
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 11, 2025
Rabada’s twin strikes pushes Australia on backfoot
Pacer Kagiso Rabada set the tone with a double blow, removing Usman Khawaja (0) and Cameron Green (4) in the same over. Both batters edged fuller deliveries behind, with the ball carrying nicely to the slip, giving South Africa the early upper hand.
While Jansen’s initial spell was without success, he returned to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne (17), who had looked to steady the innings with Smith. Wiaan Mulder also bowled tidy lines by helping the main pacers by maintaining pressure from one end.
By Lunch, Australia were struggling at 67/4, with Smith unbeaten on 26. The South African pacers exploited the conditions excellently, picking up three wickets at fuller length in the 46 deliveries and conceding 31 runs.
India
