Follow live coverage of South Africa v Australia from the ICC World Test Championship final today.
The ICC Test Championship sees nine teams compete across a two-year cycle of matches before a two-team final decides the winner. The inaugural competition was won by New Zealand after a thrilling victory over India in June 2021, before Australia assumed the crown in 2023.
Australia captain Pat Cummins said defending the title was high on the priority list, even after all their country’s success in the limited-overs formats. “It’s a trophy we’ve spoken a lot about over the last couple of years. Test cricket is my favourite format. You’ve got to basically win in all different conditions to make it into this final. If we can retain that mace, that’s a pretty awesome thing for this team.”
South Africa are meanwhile backing fast bowler Kagiso Rabada to bring extra motivation after serving a one-month drugs ban. Rabada tested positive for cocaine in January, which was only revealed in April, and served a one-month ban while competing in the Indian Premier League. “It’s definitely a motivation, It’s been a couple of weeks now that everything has unfolded,” Bavuma said.
Follow all the latest live coverage of today’s match in the live blog below.
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South Africa v Australia live
- World Test Championship final day one at Lord's
- Australia aiming to defend their crown as South Africa reach first WTC final
- WICKET! Jansen removes Head to leave Australia 67-4 with Proteas on top at lunch on Day 1
South Africa vs Australia
14:08
35.6
Lungi Ngidi to Steve Smith. Out-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, well timed to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Stubbs.
South Africa vs Australia
14:07
35.5
Lungi Ngidi to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to cover for no runs, fielded by Mulder.
South Africa vs Australia
14:06
35.4
Lungi Ngidi to Beau Webster. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, mis-timed to short leg for 1 run, fielded by Jansen.
South Africa vs Australia
14:06
35.3
Lungi Ngidi to Beau Webster. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to point for no runs, fielded by Stubbs.
South Africa vs Australia
14:05
35.2
Lungi Ngidi to Beau Webster. In-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot driving, mis-timed to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Mulder.
South Africa vs Australia
14:04
35.1
FOUR! Lungi Ngidi to Beau Webster. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot pulling, well timed in the air under control past long on for 4 runs.
South Africa vs Australia
14:03
34.6
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to deep cover for 2 runs, fielded by Bavuma.
South Africa vs Australia
14:02
34.5
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the back foot Leave, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
14:02
34.4
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the back foot shoulders arms, hit pad for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
14:01
34.3
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Bavuma.
South Africa vs Australia
14:01
34.2
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, mis-timed to short leg for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
South Africa vs Australia
14:00
34.1
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Out-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, mis-timed to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Bavuma.
South Africa vs Australia
13:59
33.6
Lungi Ngidi to Steve Smith. Half volley, off stump on the front foot working, to mid on for 1 run, fielded by Maharaj.
South Africa vs Australia
13:58
33.5
Lungi Ngidi to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot flick, inside edge to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Maharaj.
South Africa vs Australia
13:57
33.5
No ball Lungi Ngidi to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to mid on and it was a no ball, fielded by Maharaj.
South Africa vs Australia
13:57
33.4
Lungi Ngidi to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:56
33.3
Lungi Ngidi to Beau Webster. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Rickelton.
South Africa vs Australia
13:56
33.2
Lungi Ngidi to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Maharaj.
South Africa vs Australia
13:55
33.2
No ball Lungi Ngidi to Steve Smith. In-swinging back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, hit pad to short leg and it was a no ball, fielded by Rickelton.
South Africa vs Australia
13:54
33.1
Lungi Ngidi to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, to square leg for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
South Africa vs Australia
13:53
32.6
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, missed for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:52
32.5
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot defending, back to bowler for no runs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:52
32.4
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:51
32.3
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed to point for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
South Africa vs Australia
13:51
32.2
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to short extra cover for 1 run, shy attempt by Bavuma, fielded by Ngidi.
South Africa vs Australia
13:50
32.1
FOUR! Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Out-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, well timed in the air under control past deep backward point for 4 runs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:49
31.6
Lungi Ngidi to Beau Webster. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to point for no runs, fielded by Stubbs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:48
31.5
FOUR! Lungi Ngidi to Beau Webster. Out-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, well timed past deep cover for 4 runs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:47
31.4
Lungi Ngidi to Beau Webster. Out-swinging back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to point for no runs, fielded by Stubbs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:47
31.3
Lungi Ngidi to Beau Webster. Out-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, mis-timed to point for no runs, fielded by Stubbs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:46
31.2
Lungi Ngidi to Steve Smith. Out-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, to deep point for 1 run, fielded by Stubbs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:45
31.1
Lungi Ngidi to Steve Smith. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Leave, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:44
30.6
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, missed for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:43
30.5
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, inside edge to short leg for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
South Africa vs Australia
13:43
30.4
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to cover for no runs, fielded by Stubbs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:42
30.3
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Seaming in back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot driving, missed for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:41
30.2
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Length ball, off stump on the front foot working, to mid on for no runs, fielded by Maharaj.
South Africa vs Australia
13:41
30.1
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, missed for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:40
29.6
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. Out-swinging length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:39
29.5
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, back to bowler for no runs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:39
29.4
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, back to bowler for no runs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:38
29.3
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. Seaming in short, outside off stump ducked Leave, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:37
29.2
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, missed for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:37
29.1
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot defending, back to bowler for no runs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:36
28.6
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, missed for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:35
28.5
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Leave, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:34
28.4
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:34
28.3
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the back foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:33
28.2
APPEAL! Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, hit pad to silly mid on for no runs, fielded by Maharaj, appeal made for L.B.W.
South Africa vs Australia
13:32
28.1
FOUR! Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed past deep cover for 4 runs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:31
27.6
FOUR! Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control past deep point for 4 runs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:31
27.5
Marco Jansen to Beau Webster. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, inside edge to short extra cover for 1 run, fielded by Bavuma.
South Africa vs Australia
13:30
27.4
Marco Jansen to Beau Webster. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, to deep backward square leg for 2 runs, fielded by Rabada.
South Africa vs Australia
13:29
27.3
APPEAL! Marco Jansen to Beau Webster. In-swinging length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot defending, hit pad to short leg for no runs, fielded by Rickelton, appeal made for L.B.W.
South Africa vs Australia
13:27
27.2
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot pulling, to fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Rabada.
South Africa vs Australia
13:26
27.1
APPEAL! Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, hit pad to gully for no runs, fielded by Mulder, appeal made for L.B.W.
South Africa vs Australia
13:25
26.6
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Length ball, off stump on the back foot defending, to silly mid on for no runs, fielded by Maharaj.
South Africa vs Australia
13:24
26.5
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, missed for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:23
26.4
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot flick, well timed to deep mid wicket for 3 runs, fielded by Rickelton.
South Africa vs Australia
13:23
26.3
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, leading edge to short extra cover for 1 run, fielded by Bavuma.
South Africa vs Australia
13:22
26.2
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, missed for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:22
26.1
Kagiso Rabada to Beau Webster. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, mis-timed to cover for no runs, fielded by Stubbs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:21
25.6
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot pulling, hit body to leg slip for no runs, fielded by Stubbs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:20
25.5
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:19
25.4
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:19
25.3
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot defending, to short leg for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
South Africa vs Australia
13:18
25.2
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, hit pad to first slip for no runs, fielded by Bedingham.
South Africa vs Australia
13:18
25.1
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot pulling, bottom edge to third slip for no runs, fielded by Mulder.
South Africa vs Australia
13:17
24.6
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed to long on for 3 runs, fielded by Maharaj.
South Africa vs Australia
13:16
24.5
FOUR! Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Out-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, top edge in the air uncontrolled past third man for 4 runs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:15
24.4
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, back to bowler for no runs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:15
24.3
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Out-swinging length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot Leave, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:14
24.2
Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot Leave, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:14
24.1
FOUR! Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot driving, well timed past deep cover for 4 runs.
South Africa vs Australia
13:12
23.6
Marco Jansen to Beau Webster. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot flick, hit pad to square leg for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
South Africa vs Australia
13:12
23.5
Marco Jansen to Beau Webster. In-swinging back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:11
23.4
Marco Jansen to Beau Webster. In-swinging length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot Leave, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
13:11
23.3
Marco Jansen to Beau Webster. Seaming in short, wide outside off stump ducked Leave, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
LUNCH! Australia 67-4 (23.2)
12:33
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
OUT! Travis Head c †Verreynne b Jansen 11 (Australia 67/4)
12:31
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
A crucial wicket on the stroke of the interval! Travis Head, who turned the final against India two years ago with a remarkable century at the Oval, is gone, plucked down the leg-side quite magnificently by Kyle Verreynne.
It’s not Marco Jansen’s best ball, but that won’t matter for the lanky left-armer - he has two, South Africa have four, and the Proteas are firmly in the ascendancy as they bound up the steps to tuck into the famous Lord’s lunch.
South Africa vs Australia
12:30
23.2
OUT! Caught. Marco Jansen to Travis Head. Length ball, to leg on the front foot flick, inside edge, caught by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
12:29
23.1
Marco Jansen to Travis Head. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, missed for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
12:28
22.6
Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, mis-timed to silly point for no runs, fielded by Markram.
South Africa vs Australia
12:28
22.5
Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump down the track driving, back to bowler for no runs.
South Africa vs Australia
12:27
22.4
Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. Out-swinging back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, to cover for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
South Africa vs Australia
12:26
22.3
Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump down the track pushing, to cover for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
South Africa vs Australia
12:26
22.2
Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. Seaming away length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, missed for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
12:25
22.1
Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot flick, to deep backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Ngidi.
South Africa vs Australia
12:24
21.6
APPEAL! Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, hit pad to square leg for no runs, fielded by Rickelton, appeal made for L.B.W.
South Africa vs Australia
12:22
21.5
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot defending, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Bavuma.
South Africa vs Australia
12:21
21.4
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.
South Africa vs Australia
12:21
21.3
FOUR! Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. In-swinging length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, well timed past deep backward point for 4 runs.
South Africa vs Australia
12:20
21.2
Marco Jansen to Travis Head. Out-swinging half volley, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to deep point for 1 run, fielded by Rabada.
South Africa vs Australia
12:19
21.1
Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed to deep extra cover for 3 runs, fielded by Bavuma.
South Africa vs Australia
12:18
20.6
Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, well timed to deep backward point for 2 runs, fielded by Stubbs.
South Africa vs Australia
12:16
20.5
Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot glancing, to fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Ngidi.
South Africa vs Australia
12:16
20.4
Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to silly mid on for no runs, dropped catch by Mulder, fielded by Rabada.
South Africa vs Australia
12:15
20.3
Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, to mid on for 1 run, fielded by Rabada.
South Africa vs Australia
12:14
20.2
Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, to mid off for no runs, fielded by Bavuma.
South Africa vs Australia
12:13
20.1
Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, hit pad to short fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Verreynne.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website