Aakash Chopra questions South Africa’s decision to bowl first against Australia in WTC final

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned South African captain Temba Bavuma’s decision to bowl first against Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on Wednesday. The London pitch has all the help for the bowlers but Chopra reckons it was a defensive decision from the Proteas captain.

While South Africa were able to skittle out Australia for 212 after Kagiso Rabada bagged a five-wicket haul, it was Pat Cummins’ team that ended the opening day strongly. At the end of day’s play, South Africa were left reeling at 43-4 after Mitchell Starc bagged two wickets whereas Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins took one wicket each.

“When you decided to bowl first after winning the toss, I felt it was a slightly defensive decision because batting fourth is very, very tough. So you should bat first. Of course, the conditions will be difficult, but you challenge yourself when you bat first,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“It wasn’t a pitch that had so much green grass that you would close your eyes and bowl first because you wouldn’t have played a spinner and instead filled your team with only fast bowlers if it was a pitch like that, as you would know that the match would be over in two-and-a-half days. This wasn’t that kind of a surface. I thought that was a defensive move,” he added.

On the other hand, the renowned commentator highlighted that South Africa’s batting was ordinary. Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton were all dismissed cheaply towards the fag end of the day.

“Australia were bowled out for 212, but South Africa’s batting was absolutely ordinary. First Aiden Markram and then Ryan Rickelton. Temba Bavuma is still playing, but he is not scoring runs. He is playing extremely slow. Wiaan Mulder and then Tristan Stubbs, it wasn’t enjoyable,” he said.

“Four wickets have fallen. South Africa’s catching was outstanding, bowling was decent, Lungi Ngidi was disappointing, but Australia are way ahead in the match. Since South Africa have to bat in the fourth innings, if they don’t score close to 300 runs in this innings, they will not be in the game at all,” Chopra observed.

South Africa have their backs against the wall and they will need to bat out of their skin to stay alive in the final.