Mitchell Starc removes Ryan Rickelton for 6 to give Australia perfect start in 2nd innings in SA vs AUS 2025 WTC final [Watch]

Australia pacer Mitchell Starc dismissed South Africa opener Ryan Rickelton for six runs in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's on Friday, June 13. The 35-year-old delivered a full ball which took the outside edge of the bat and Alex Carey took the catch behind the stumps.

The dismissal was checked by the third umpire to see whether the ball had hit the bat before nestling into Carey's gloves. Replays indicated that the ball had taken the outside edge of the bat and gone into Carey's gloves.

Watch the video of the dismissal here:

The wicket gave Australia the perfect start in the second innings as they looked to defend 281 runs in a bid to win their second WTC mace in a row.

Mitchelll Starc shines with the bat as Australia set South Africa 282 runs for victory

Before he removed Ryan Rickleton in South Africa's second innings, Mitchell Starc played arguably his best Test innings with the bat. The southpaw made an unbeaten 58 off 136 balls and put on 59 runs for the tenth wicket with fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood.

The stand ensured that Australia extended their lead to 281 runs. The number looked unthinkable when Pat Cummins fell on the second evening for six runs, which had left Australia in tatters at 73/7.

But Alex Carey and the rest of the lower-order showed the desired spunk with the bat to give the bowlers something to defend in the final innings of the 2025 WTC final.

As was the case in the first innings, Kagiso Rabada finished as the pick of the South African bowlers in the second essay. He claimed 4/59 to compliment his fifer in the first innings to emerge as the best bowler on display for his side. At the time of writing, South Africa were 39/1 after seven overs.