The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled a substantial increase in prize money for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 Final. The champions of the one-off Test between Australia and South Africa, scheduled from June 11 to 15 at Lord’s Cricket Ground, will receive $3.6 million—a 125% increase from the $1.6 million awarded to previous winners in 2021 and 2023.
Significant Boost to Test Cricket’s Prestige
The total prize pool for the 2023–25 WTC cycle stands at $5.76 million, more than double that of the previous editions. The runners-up will earn $2.16 million, up from $800,000 in earlier finals.
This increase reflects the ICC’s commitment to enhancing the status of Test cricket amidst the growing popularity of shorter formats. ICC Chair Jay Shah stated, “The increase in prize money exhibits our efforts to prioritize Test cricket and build on momentum from previous WTC cycles.”
Path to the Final
South Africa secured their place in the final with series victories over Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, finishing with 69.44 percentage points. Australia followed closely, achieving 67.54 percentage points, bolstered by a 3-1 triumph over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and series wins against New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
Australian captain Pat Cummins expressed pride in defending the title, stating, “We are enormously proud to have the opportunity to defend the World Test Championship, especially at Lord’s.”
South African captain Temba Bavuma highlighted the significance of the final, saying, “Everyone understands the importance of Test cricket, and the World Test Championship lends context to this vital format of the game.”
Prize Money Distribution
The ICC has also announced prize money for the remaining teams based on their standings:
- 3rd Place (India): $1.44 million
- 4th Place (New Zealand): $1.2 million
- 5th Place (England): $960,000
- 6th Place (Sri Lanka): $840,000
- 7th Place (Bangladesh): $720,000
- 8th Place (West Indies): $600,000
- 9th Place (Pakistan): $480,000
This comprehensive distribution underscores the ICC’s dedication to rewarding performance across the board and promoting the enduring appeal of Test cricket.
As the cricketing world turns its attention to Lord’s for the WTC 2025 Final, the increased stakes promise an exhilarating contest between two of the game’s powerhouses.
