The World Test Championship 2025 reached its end, where the two teams, Australia and South Africa, will face each other at Lord’s from June 11 to 15. The red ball will decide the winner in this match.
Let’s take a simple look through this blog at both sides, how they ended up in the final, and what could determine the winner of the trophy.
A Historic First for South Africa
This is the first time South Africa has qualified for the World Test Championship Final. This qualifier indicates that they will set a new milestone and play very well with their strong comeback in Test cricket. Under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, they stood at the top of the league with a percentage of points at 69.44. They secured 8 wins out of their 12 games, including a crucial 2-0 win against Pakistan.
This is an adventure for South Africa, as they have not yet faced tough teams such as Australia or England, which means that they have not been challenged by the very best yet.
South Africa’s squad boasts a balanced mix of young guns and old stagers. Kagiso Rabada takes care of bowling while being supported by Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen. In batting, Aiden Markram and David Bedingham strengthen the unit.
The squad has fond memories at Lord’s; they defeated England there in 2022, with Rabada claiming 7 wickets. Their toughest challenge now will be managing the pressure of their first final and playing against a tough Australian team.
Enjoy the final match of the Test Championship with Laser247 platform!!
Australia: Defending Champions and Lord’s Specialists
Australia will play the final match against South Africa as the defending champions. They won the last final in 2023 by beating India. Pat Cummins is leading the Australian team, and they are in second place in this test league with a point percentage of 67.54. They won 13 out of 19 matches, including a big 3-1 series win over India and a 2-0 clean sweep in Sri Lanka. This shows they can win in different conditions.
The Australian team is full of experienced and talented players who have the potential to change the game in any situation. Their batting is strong with Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja. Their bowling attack is world-class, led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon.
Australia has played well at Lord’s, london. They have won 18 of their 40 Tests at that venue and lost just 7. Steve Smith has a stunning record of over 100 at this ground. And given their exposure to English conditions and excellent record in major games, most believe Australia are the favourites to lift the trophy.
Key Battles: Where the Test Championship Final 2025 Will Be Won
Strong Start from the Top Order:
Both sides require their best batsmen to begin strongly. For Australia, Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith will be the most important players. For South Africa, Aiden Markram and David Bedingham must establish a good start. A good start can determine the course of the rest of the game.
Fast Bowlers Battle:
This game will include two of the world’s top pace bowlers. Australia’s Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins will face South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. The Lord’s wicket usually favors fast bowlers, particularly in the early stages of the game. Wickets taken early can prove to be a game-changer.
Spin Bowling:
If the pitch begins to turn, spinners will come into action. Australia will depend upon the experienced Nathan Lyon, with South Africa having Keshav Maharaj, who brings variety with left-arm spin.
Withstanding the Pressure:
Australia has never played in a final like this before, so they will be familiar with everything. For South Africa, it is a first Test final appearance. Remaining calm and capitalizing on the key moments will be quite crucial.
Prediction: Who Will Lift the Mace?
The Test Championship Final 2025 is a single game where managing pressure counts the most. Australia is in a better position with their experience, talented squad, and excellent record at Lord’s, London. They defeated South Africa 2-0 in their last Test series.
But South Africa wants its first ICC trophy. They possess momentum, a strong pace attack, and fond memories at Lord’s. If their batsmen can negotiate Australian early bowling and Rabada gets going, they might win the upset.
Conclusion
Australia are favorites to lift the Test Championship Final 2025, but South Africa can give them a tough fight. If South Africa’s bowlers perform well at the beginning, the match could be much closer than expected. Nevertheless, Australia’s experience of playing high-stakes matches may provide them with an upper hand.
Fans around the world will be watching as Lord’s hosts this exciting final. Will Australia stay on top, or will South Africa make history? We’ll soon find out at the Home of Cricket.