Watch: Usman Khawaja hits historic low with 20-ball duck as Kagiso Rabada shines in WTC Final

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Kagiso Rabada Dismissed Usman Khawaja For A Duck

Veteran opening batter Usman Khawaja failed to score runs in Australia’s first innings of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 Final against South Africa. Khawaja entered the record books for an unwanted reason after being dismissed for a duck off 20 balls in the summit clash of the longer format.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bowl first against Australia in the final at Lord’s on Wednesday, June 11. Australia are aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back WTC titles. Meanwhile, South Africa, who topped the WTC table, are eager to claim their maiden WTC trophy.

Usman Khawaja Registers One of Australia’s Slowest Ducks in Test History

Usman Khawaja endured a disappointing outing in the first innings as he was dismissed without scoring. Khawaja faced 20 balls but failed to get off the mark. South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada claimed his wicket in the seventh over with a superb delivery.

Khawaja registered one of the slowest ducks by an Australian opener in Test history. He was the third slowest, alongside Sammy Jones (1888), behind David Warner (22 balls) and Shaun Marsh (21). It was also the second-slowest duck by a Test opener against South Africa, only behind Michael Atherton.

Slowest Test Ducks by an Australian Opener

Balls Faced Player Opponent Venue Year
22 balls David Warner England Hobart 2022
21 balls Shaun Marsh India Pune 2017
20 balls Usman Khawaja South Africa Lord’s 2025*
20 balls Sammy Jones England Sydney 1888

Slowest Ducks by an Opener Against South Africa in Tests

Balls Faced Player Venue Year
21 balls Michael Atherton Cape Town 1996
20 balls Usman Khawaja Lord’s 2025*
18 balls Michael Papps Johannesburg 2006
17 balls Marvan Atapattu Colombo 2000
16 balls Marvan Atapattu Centurion 2001

Usman Khawaja Records His Second Duck in an ICC Final

Usman Khawaja recorded his second duck in an ICC final. The left-handed batter has scored just 13 runs in three innings at a poor average of 4.33.

With this dismissal, Khawaja joined an unwanted list of players who have been out for zero twice in ICC finals, alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Brendon McCullum. He was dismissed for a duck by Mohammed Siraj in the 2023 WTC final against India.

Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada has dismissed the Australian opener six times in Test cricket. He equaled Jasprit Bumrah and Chris Woakes, with only Stuart Broad (8 times) having gotten him out more often.

Most Ducks In The Final Of ICC Events

Jasprit Bumrah – 2

Tillakaratne Dilshan – 2

Usman Khawaja – 2

Brendon McCullum – 2

Moeen Ali – 1

Bowlers to Dismiss Usman Khawaja the Most Times in Tests

8 – Stuart Broad

6 – Jasprit Bumrah, Chris Woakes, and Kagiso Rabada*

Watch: Kagiso Rabada Finishes Opening Spell with Two Wickets

Kagiso Rabada bowled a superb delivery to remove Cameron Green for just four runs. Steve Smith came to the crease as Australia found themselves in trouble at 26 for 2 in 9.3 overs. At the time of writing, Australia were struggling at 46 for 3 in 18 overs.

Rabada, returning to international cricket after a one-month suspension for recreational drug use, finished with figures of 2 for 9 from six overs in his first spell. He consistently challenged the outside edge with the movement of the Dukes ball.

Labuschagne, under pressure to retain his place in the Test side, was dismissed for 17 by Marco Jansen. Travis Head joined Smith (18) at the crease after Labuschagne’s dismissal.

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