The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final is set to be played at the Home of Cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, from June 11 to 15, 2025.
This is the first time when South Africa have made it to the WTC finals and it’s going be an intense and interesting match to watch as the Proteas try to beat the defending champions Australia.
Both Australia and South Africa have named their full-strength squad for the biggest test match of the year.
The final will be all about handling the pressure at Lord’s with swinging Dukes ball and unpredictable conditions at the Iconic Lord’s.
South Africa rather found an easy way to the finals playing teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Home, Whereas Australia had to face England in England during the Ashes, India in the BGT and Recently Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka.
If South Africa Manages to beat Australia then it will be their 2nd ICC trophy of their History.
Predicted Playing XI for South Africa:
South Africa has shown really a great performance under Temba Bavuma captaincy. With 8 wins in 12 Test matches, they are looking in a strong form and it showcase their great journey towards WTC finals. They have perfect mixture of strong batters, useful all-rounders, and a solid bowling attack for unpredictable Lord’s Cricket Ground. Here is the South Africa playing XI:
Captain: Temba Bavuma
Wicketkeeper: Kyle Verreynne
Aiden Markram
Ryan Rickelton
Tony de Zorzi
Tristan Stubbs
David Bedingham
Marco Jansen
Kagiso Rabada
Keshav Maharaj
Lungi Ngidi
Batting Stats and Tactics of World Test Championship: South Africa
Aiden Markram (Opening Batter)
Aiden Markram’s has always been an aggressive batter with immense talent. He has a capability to counter the early swing from Starc and Boland, but His numbers in England are not pretty though
| Matches | 10 |
| Innings | 18 |
| Runs | 572 |
| Average | 33.64 |
| Highest Score | 106 vs Pakistan |
| 50s | 03 |
| 100s | 01 |
Ryan Rickelton (Opening Batter)
Left-handed batter, Ryan Rickelton has done well for South Africa in this WTC cycle and his aggressive batting style may prove to be vital for Proteas against the likes of Scott Boland/Josh Hazlewood, and his attacking shots could unsettle Australian bowlers.
| Matches | 06 |
| Innings | 09 |
| Runs | 451 |
| Average | 56.37 |
| Highest Score | 259 vs Pakistan |
| 50s | 00 |
| 100s | 02 |
Tony de Zorzi (No. 3 or Middle-Order Batter)
Tony de Zorzi has been blowing hot and cold for South Africa in WTC 2023-25 cycle. But Sout Africa’s Head Coach Shukri Conrad believes de Zorzi has a bright future ahead.
| Matches | 09 |
| Innings | 16 |
| Runs | 486 |
| Average | 30.37 |
| Highest Score | 177 vs Bangladesh |
| 50s | 01 |
| 100s | 01 |
Tristan Stubbs (Middle Order Batter)
A promising middle-order batter for South Africa. Even Though His Number has not been that great during the World Test Championship 2023-25 Cycle, But He has the talent and ability to come clutch for Proteas in the Final.
| Matches | 09 |
| Innings | 16 |
| Runs | 500 |
| Average | 33.33 |
| Highest Score | 122 vs Sri Lanka |
| 50s | 01 |
| 100s | 02 |
Temba Bavuma (Middle-Order Batter/Captain)
The captain of South Africa has not only contributed with his bat, but with his excellent captaincy as well. South Africa has really performed well under Temba Bavuma captaincy after a very long time. He has been great in building partnership and is a consistent player and handle the pressure very well.
| Matches | 07 |
| Innings | 11 |
| Runs | 609 |
| Average | 60.90 |
| Highest Score | 113 vs Ireland |
| 50s | 04 |
| 100s | 02 |
David Bedingham (Middle-Order Batter)
His capability of handing the fast and spin bowler makes the South Africa middle-order stronger. He made his debut against India in December 2023 and quickly got himself settled as a middle-order batter.
| Matches | 12 |
| Innings | 21 |
| Runs | 645 |
| Average | 33.92 |
| Highest Score | 110 vs New Zealand |
| 50s | 03 |
| 100s | 01 |
Kyle Verreynne (Wicketkeeper-Batter)
During the 2023–25 WTC cycle, Kyle Verreynne made 3 centuries and has proven to be a dependable wicketkeeper-batter for South Africa. His composure under pressure and ability to play big innings give more stability to the middle-order batters.
| Matches | 10 |
| Innings | 14 |
| Runs | 488 |
| Average | 37.53 |
| Highest Score | 114 vs Bangladesh |
| 50s | 01 |
| 100s | 03 |
Bowling Stats and Tactics of World Test Championship: South Africa
Marco Jansen (All-rounder/Left-Arm Pace)
Marco Jansen’s hight add more strength to his left-arm pace bowling. In the pitches favouring to swing and bounce, make him an asset due to his left-arm angle. His great inning of 84* against India proved that not only with bowling, but he has also been excellent with bat as well.
| Matches | 06 |
| Innings | 12 |
| Wickets | 29 |
| Best Figure | 7/13 vs Sri Lanka |
| Average | 20.82 |
| 4-Wicket Haul | 1 |
| 5-Wicket Haul | 2 |
Kagiso Rabada (Right-Arm Fast)
One of Greatest of This Era Kagiso Rabada has always been a key bowler of South Africa. His sharp bounce, reverse swing and specialist in dismissing tailenders has gotten him 47 wickets during WTC 2023-25 cycle, South Africa will be banking on him to deliver the goods in the final.
| Matches | 10 |
| Innings | 20 |
| Wickets | 47 |
| Best Figure | 6/46 vs Bangladesh |
| Average | 19.97 |
| 4-Wicket Haul | 0 |
| 5-Wicket Haul | 3 |
Keshav Maharaj (Slow Left arm Orthodox)
eshav Maharaj can be a big threat to Australia’s middle-order as he maintains the tight line and length and has ability to build pressure through his back-to-back dot balls. He doesn’t take much time to utilize the conditions and extracting turn and bounce, especially on deteriorating pitches makes him perfect for 3rd and 4th innings.
| Matches | 08 |
| Innings | 13 |
| Wickets | 40 |
| Best Figure | 5/59 vs Bangladesh |
| Average | 20.57 |
| 4-Wicket Haul | 2 |
| 5-Wicket Haul | 2 |
Lungi Ngidi (Right arm Fast medium)
Lungi’s seam movement and steady line makes him a big threat specially on cloudy weather which is mostly seen at the Lord’s. Unlike Marco Jansen, Ngidi uses his height to get extra bounce and seam movement to trouble the batters. His bowling style is well suited for Lord’s pitch full of swings and slope.
| Matches | 02 |
| Innings | 03 |
| Wickets | 04 |
| Best Figure | 3/30 vs India |
| Average | 20.25 |
| 4-Wicket Haul | 0 |
| 5-Wicket Haul | 0 |
Predicted Playing XI for Australia:
The defending champions, Australia are all set to clash with South Africa in WTC final. They have everything it takes to defend their title, From Pace bowling masters like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood to one of greatest off spinners in Nathan Lyon .
The batting department features the greatest test batter of this generation Steve Smith, along with modern day match winner Travis Head and likes of Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey in supporting cast. Under Pat Cummins captaincy, Australia has played 19 test and won 13 matches including a dominant series win against India (3-1) earlier this year.
Captain: Pat Cummins
Wicketkeeper: Alex Carey
Usman Khawaja
Marnus Labuschagne
Cameron Green
Steve Smith
Travis Head
Beau Webster
Mitchell Starc
Nathan Lyon
Scott Boland
Batting Stats and Tactics of World Test Championship: Australia
Usman Khawaja (Opening Batter)
The highest run scorer (1422) for Defending Champions Australia during WTC 2023-25 cycle. He also has carries vast experience and has been doing brilliantly well since making his comeback in 2022 SCG Test in the Ashes. Although he struggles against swings and has been dismissed early specially with new ball but looking at his current form in recent series against Sri Lanka and good history at Lords, he will be a good challenge for South Africa.
| Matches | 19 |
| Innings | 37 |
| Runs | 1422 |
| Average | 41.82 |
| Highest Score | 232 vs Sri Lanka |
| 50s | 06 |
| 100s | 02 |
Marnus Labuschagne (Middle-Order Batter)
Probably Australia’s Biggest Worry is Marnus’ recent form, and they will worry even more they see his stats in English pitches, but Australia is likely to back him in the WTC Final as Marnus tends to perform when he’s under pressure
| Matches | 19 |
| Innings | 36 |
| Runs | 935 |
| Average | 28.33 |
| Highest Score | 111 vs England |
| 50s | 08 |
| 100s | 01 |
Cameron Green (Allrounder)
Touted as Australia’s Next Big Thing, Cameron Green has been out of Action due to back injury but the good news for Australia is that he has been doing well with the bat in county cricket recenlty but he’s unlikely to bowl in the WTC Final.
| Matches | 07 |
| Innings | 13 |
| Runs | 405 |
| Average | 36.81 |
| Highest Score | 174* vs New Zealand |
| 50s | 00 |
| 100s | 01 |
Steve Smith (Middle-Order Batter)
One Of all-time greats, Steve Smith was struggling initially in this cycle but ever since he saw India in BGT, there has been no stopping him and as his coming fresh from a break, Steven Smith is probably the biggest threat to South Africa bowlers and he scored a century in last WTC Final as well.
| Matches | 19 |
| Innings | 35 |
| Runs | 1324 |
| Average | 41.37 |
| Highest Score | 141 vs Sri Lanka |
| 50s | 04 |
| 100s | 05 |
Travis Head (Middle-Order Batter)
Travis Head has been the best middle-order batter in recent times, his aggressive batting help Australia to maintain the momentum. He’s also been great at making long partnership with an unbelievable strike rate of 81.06. It is one of the highest strike rates in WTC 2023-25. And not to forget he was Player of the match in last WTC Final.
| Matches | 19 |
| Innings | 34 |
| Runs | 1177 |
| Average | 35.66 |
| Highest Score | 152 vs England |
| 50s | 05 |
| 100s | 03 |
Alex Carey (Wicketkeeper-Batter)
One of the most underrated and probably the most trusted player for Australia both with the bat and behind the stumps. Compared to Jos Inglis, Carey has more experience, consistency and trusted batter especially in intense situation. His ability to make quick runs, rotating strikes and hitting boundaries can be a frustrating topic for South African team.
| Matches | 19 |
| Innings | 30 |
| Runs | 954 |
| Average | 35.33 |
| Highest Score | 156 vs Sri Lanka |
| 50s | 05 |
| 100s | 01 |
Beau Webster (Allrounder)
Beau Webster made his test debut at age of 30+ but when he did against India at the SCG in Border Gavakar Trophy, He Looked more than ready. He’s a very solid batter at number 6/7, handy with the ball and a very safe hand at Slips/Gully. He should be in the Playing xi for the WTC Final.
| Matches | 03 |
| Innings | 04 |
| Runs | 150 |
| Average | 50.00 |
| Highest Score | 57 vs India |
| 50s | 01 |
| 100s | 00 |
Bowling Stats and Tactics of World Test Championship: Australia
Pat Cummins (Right arm Fast)
One of the Very Best Cricketers in World Cricket Pat Cummins has been the mastermind behind the multiple ICC trophies. He has been the Australia’s top wicket-taker in WTC 2023–25 cycle and has been one of the most successful captains in Australia cricket history. And when it comes to bowling English conditions, He’s right up there among world’s very best.
| Matches | 17 |
| Innings | 33 |
| Wickets | 73 |
| Best Figure | 6/91 vs England |
| Average | 24.54 |
| 4-Wicket Haul | 04 |
| 5-Wicket Haul | 05 |
Mitchell Starc (Left arm Fast)
One of the icons of World Cricket Mitchell Starc is the X factor in the Australia’s bowling line-up. And we all are aware of what he can do in ICC Knockout matches.
| Matches | 18 |
| Innings | 35 |
| Wickets | 72 |
| Best Figure | 6/48 vs India |
| Average | 27.27 |
| 4-Wicket Haul | 04 |
| 5-Wicket Haul | 02 |
Nathan Lyon (Right arm Off break)
Nathan Lyon has 500+ test wickets in his pockets, and it makes him the leading wicket-taker of the Among Activer Players, He’s also Australia’s most experienced player in the current lineup. His ability to take wickets consistently and built the pressure will be a tough challenge for South African’s batters.
| Matches | 16 |
| Innings | 28 |
| Wickets | 66 |
| Best Figure | 6/65 vs New Zealand |
| Average | 24.00 |
| 4-Wicket Haul | 01 |
| 5-Wicket Haul | 05 |
Scott Boland (Right arm Fast medium)
Josh Hazlewood has recently been back from injury and is not fully fit yet So Australia could go with Scott Boland, who was the major difference in the BGT and did well in the previous WTC Final
| Matches | 05 |
| Innings | 10 |
| Wickets | 23 |
| Best Figure | 6/45 vs India |
| Average | 22.08 |
| 4-Wicket Haul | 01 |
| 5-Wicket Haul | 01 |
