Marnus Labuschagne nicks one off Marco Jansen for 17 on Day 1 of SA vs AUS 2025 WTC Final [Watch]

Australia's makeshift opener Marnus Labuschagne departed after scoring 17 runs on Day 1 of the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final against South Africa at Lord's on Wednesday, June 11. Left-arm pacer Marco Jansen made the key breakthrough in the first session to sink the Men in Yellow into further trouble.

Opening the innings for the first time in Test cricket, Labuschagne had a stern test awaiting in the form of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen with the new ball under overcast conditions. The right-handed batter took the early initiative as Rabada had trapped Usman Khawaja from one end.

He was stranded as both Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green were dismissed in the same over. Australia looked to repair the session with the new batting pair, who had to be patient as South Africa were in the hunt for a prized third breakthrough.

The Proteas finally broke through after Marco Jansen's fullish delivery from around the wicket tempted the right-handed batter to have a poke. He played well away from his body without much footwork, and ended up edging it to wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne.

Have a look at the dismissal right here:

The opening batter departed after scoring 17 runs off 56 deliveries, including one boundary. He has been dismissed by the left-arm pacer before on one occasion as well, during the infamous 2022 Test in Brisbane that ended inside two days.

South Africa pushing hard to break the Smith-Head pairing after Labuschagne's wicket

Australia were reduced to 46-3 after 18 overs following Marnus Labuschagne's departure. Travis Head has come out rife with intent as usual, punishing the wayward deliveries in a bid to ignite a counter-attack and get some momentum towards the session's end.

At the time of writing, the defending champions are placed at 58-3 after 21 overs. Smith is holding his end, unbeaten on 19 off 41, while Head has raced off to a run-a-ball nine already.