World Test Championship Final: Australia Face Gritty South Africa at Lord’s

LONDON

The World Test Championship (WTC) Final is set for a fierce clash as defending champions Australia take on South Africa at Lord’s from June 11, 2025. Known for their dominance in high-stakes finals, Australia will aim for an 11th global title, bringing back 10 players from their 2023 squad that crushed India by 209 runs. Only veteran David Warner is absent, replaced by newer contenders like Sam Konstas and Travis Head.

Australia’s strength lies in its depth—four of its top ten all-time wicket-takers are active: Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. The return of Hazlewood, fresh from an IPL title, boosts an already potent attack. Batting stalwart Steve Smith, with four hundreds in his last five Tests, anchors the middle order.

In contrast, South Africa enters its first WTC final with momentum and unity. Despite not being ruthless, the Proteas topped the WTC table with eight wins in 12 Tests, using 30 players—more than any other team. Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and captain Temba Bavuma lead a side hungry for its first major title since 1998. Both teams are familiar with Lord’s, with Australia unbeaten there for a decade and South Africa having lost only once in seven post-apartheid matches. The clash promises an enthralling battle of pedigree versus ambition on cricket’s grandest stage.