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Kevin Pietersen has advosed batters to keep scoring runs until they get out, as defending isn’t the play. South Africa trail Australia by 169 runs in WTC final.
Tristan Stubbs walks off the field after losing his wicket (Picture credit: AP)
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has said that while one delivery will have the batter’s name on it, the latter should keep scoring runs till it comes, adding that defending is not the play. Pietersen’s tweet came less than an hour after the play of Day 1 of the World Test Championship final ended.
Australia were dismissed for just 212 after South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss in bowler-friendly conditions, with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada taking 5/51.
But at stumps, South Africa had slumped to 43/4 in reply, a deficit of 169 runs, as Starc finished the day with figures of 2/10 in seven overs.
“One ball will have your name on it. Till then, SCORE RUNS! Defending isn’t the play,” Pietersen tweeted on Wednesday night.
One ball will have your name on it. Till then SCORE RUNS!Defending isn’t the play!— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) June 11, 2025
South Africa’s Marco Jansen, who took 3/49, admitted that it had been a mixed day for the Proteas, telling the BBC: “Bowling-wise I think we did well… They bowled well, and we are going to have our work cut out for us tomorrow.”
Given the strength of both sides’ pace attacks, the key question was always likely to be which team could put enough runs on the scoreboard.
Australia’s total looked a lot healthier when left-arm quick Starc had Aiden Markram playing on for a duck before dismissing Ryan Rickelton (16) to leave South Africa floundering at 19/2.
Novice number three, Wiaan Mulder, dropped on one, was bowled by Australia skipper Pat Cummins, having taken 44 deliveries to make just six runs.
Before the close, Josh Hazlewood bowled Tristan Stubbs. Australia had earlier slumped to 67/4 at lunch.
But star batter Steve Smith (66) and all-rounder Beau Webster (72) repaired the damage with a fifth-wicket partnership of 79.
“Two good bowling outfits, it was tough work for the batters,” Webster told the BBC. “We’ve got a score on the board and to grab four scalps at the end of the day, I think we’re pretty happy.”
Webster, however, would have been lbw to Rabada for eight if South Africa had reviewed an original not-out decision.
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