Australia enter the 2025 World Test Championship final against South Africa as clear favourites to retain their crown, but a heavyweight showdown awaits at Lord’s.
Australia Favoured to Defend WTC Title at Lord’s
Australia are tipped to defend their WTC crown as they face South Africa in the final at Lord’s (June 11–15, with a reserve day on June 16), coming off a commanding record in the cycle. Ranked No.1 in Tests and led by their elite pace attack, Australia are firm favourites at 1.44 odds.
Form & Qualification: Two Paths to the Final
Australia’s Path
Australia sealed a top-two finish after a Test in Galle during a 19-match campaign—winning 13 of 19 Tests, including key series victories against Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. Notably dominant performances made them the cycle’s most consistent team.
South Africa’s Run
South Africa earned their place with a seven-match streak culminating in a win over Pakistan in January. That stellar run came mainly against lower-ranked teams—a schedule critics argue was unbalanced. Still, it marks their first-ever WTC final, a massive landmark for the Proteas.
The Stakes: First WTC Final for South Africa
- Australia seek back-to-back WTC triumphs, having beaten India in the 2023 final at The Oval.
- South Africa, long labelled “chokers” in world finals, have never won a global ICC title. The final is a chance to shake that reputation.
“It’s the biggest thing in this team’s existence. It’s the biggest thing for South African cricket at the moment,” coach Shukri Conrad acknowledged.
Captaincy & Leadership
- Pat Cummins, Australia’s fast-bowling captain, leads a squad underpinned by his leadership—and high expectations .
- Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s captain, rallies a side keen to rewrite national sporting history .
Key Match-Ups: Batsmen vs Bowlers
| Contest | Player 1 (Aus) | Player 2 (SA) | Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top order | Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne | Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Ryan Rickelton | Smith boasts five centuries in last eight innings. South Africa’s top order remains untested under WTC pressure |
| Pace attack | Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood/Scott Boland | Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi | Australia-led bowling unit is formidably balanced . Rabada’s 327 wickets and Jansen’s all-round threat are formidable |
| Spin battle | Nathan Lyon | Keshav Maharaj | Lyon warns of Proteas’ class batsmen who could test his off-spin in English Duke conditions |
Selection Dilemmas
Australia face a choice between Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood to partner Cummins and Starc. Boland’s domestic dominance contrasts with Hazlewood’s international experience.
South Africa might promote Wiaan Mulder up the order after a washed-out warm-up.
Weather & Pitch Notes
Lord’s historically favors seamers with overhead conditions offering swing. Rain is forecast on Days 2–3, possibly swinging sessions in favor of bowlers
What to Watch
- Steve Smith vs Kagiso Rabada: veteran prowess vs raw seam firepower.
- Cameron Green returns to boost the batting depth after injury.
- Diogo Costa… pardon, sorry—Nathan Lyon and Keshav Maharaj in spin duels impacting late-match scenarios.
Why This Final Matters
- Australia aiming to sustain their global dominance, adding a third ICC trophy across formats
. - South Africa seek to redefine their legacy, shedding the underachiever tag for global respect.
- A Saudi victory would reinvigorate Test cricket’s global competitiveness, challenging the dominance gap.
Final Take
Australia begin as deserved favourites, backed by world-class depth and experience—and familiar wicket conditions. But South Africa arrive with momentum, raw pace, and a hunger to break their ICC title duck. This final will not only crown the WTC champion—it could signal a transformation in global Test cricket.
