Matthew Hayden Calls Out South Africa’s Performance in WTC Final
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has weighed in on the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s, where Australia faced South Africa. He emphasized that the Proteas must exhibit greater batting intent on the second day, following a disappointing performance that left them at 43 for 4 at stumps. Australia finished their innings at 212 all out, bolstered by significant contributions from Steve Smith and Beau Webster. Kagiso Rabada was the standout bowler for South Africa, taking five wickets, while Mitchell Starc led Australia’s attack with two crucial dismissals.
### Match Overview
On the first day of the ICC World Test Championship final, Australia struggled early, finding themselves at 67 for 4 after an impressive start by South Africa. However, they rallied back to post a total of 212 runs. The day’s batting hero was Steve Smith, who scored 66 runs, while Beau Webster added a valuable 72 runs to the total. Their partnership was pivotal, with a crucial 79-run stand that helped stabilize the innings. Rabada’s exceptional bowling performance, marked by figures of 5 for 51, showcased his skills, while Marco Jansen supported him well, taking three wickets for 49 runs.
Despite South Africa initially dominating the first session, they lost momentum as the day progressed. Australia’s bowlers, particularly in the final session, claimed nine wickets, demonstrating their ability to seize control of the match. The conditions fluctuated throughout the day, which made batting challenging at times, something Hayden noted in his assessment.
### Bowling Performances
Kagiso Rabada’s five-wicket haul was a significant highlight for South Africa. His relentless pace and accuracy put the Australian batsmen under pressure. Rabada’s performance was complemented by Marco Jansen, who picked up three wickets and maintained pressure on the Australian batsmen. Mitchell Starc, leading the Australian bowling attack, claimed two wickets, while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood each added one to their tally. The Australian bowlers effectively exploited the seam movement available on the pitch, making it difficult for South Africa’s batsmen to settle.
Hayden criticized the lack of intent shown by South Africa, particularly by captain Temba Bavuma, who took 31 balls to get off the mark. He urged the Proteas to adopt a more aggressive batting approach on day two to avoid falling further behind. Sanjay Bangar echoed this sentiment, stating that South Africa must improve their footwork and intent at the crease to score effectively against Australia’s disciplined bowling.
### South Africa’s Struggles
At the end of the day, South Africa found themselves in a precarious position, trailing by 169 runs with six wickets remaining in their first innings. None of their batsmen managed to reach 20 runs, which underscores the challenges they faced against Australia’s attack. Mitchell Starc’s early strikes set the tone for the day, while the rest of the Australian bowlers capitalized on South Africa’s indecisiveness.
Bangar pointed out that the scoreboard does not accurately reflect a par score due to the seam movement on offer. He emphasized that South Africa needs to find ways to create scoring opportunities, which requires a change in mindset. The pressure is now firmly on the Proteas to rebound on day two, as any further setbacks could significantly tilt the match in Australia’s favor. As the teams prepare for the next day, the focus will be on whether South Africa can adapt and show the intent needed to turn the tide.
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