Australia and South Africa will collide in the 2023–25 ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s, starting June 11, with the defending champions aiming to retain their title and the Proteas desperate to finally shake off decades of knockout heartbreak.
Australia, led by Pat Cummins, qualified with a 67.54% points percentage across 19 Tests. South Africa, captained by Temba Bavuma, finished top with 69.44% from just 12 matches.
Interestingly, the two sides have not met in the current WTC cycle. The clash at the ‘Home of Cricket’ marks their first red-ball encounter in over two years and only their second Test series meeting since the 2018 ‘sandpapergate’ scandal.
Australia Hold Edge at Lord’s
Australia boasts a strong history at Lord’s, with 18 wins and only seven defeats in 40 Tests. The team has won three of its last five Tests at the ground, including a controversial 2023 Ashes encounter overshadowed by the Jonny Bairstow stumping.
Veteran batter Steve Smith will return to the venue where he made his debut in 2010. Smith has scored 525 runs at an average of 58.33 at Lord’s and requires 17 more to surpass Don Bradman as Australia’s highest run-scorer at the ground.
South Africa’s Path to Final Raises Questions
South Africa’s route to the final included a late surge of seven consecutive wins after an indifferent start to the cycle. The streak included series victories over West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
Despite the impressive run, South Africa are yet to register a win over any of the top-four ranked sides during the current WTC period. Eight players in their 15-member squad have never played a Test at Lord’s.
Australia Face Selection Dilemmas
Australia are considering reshuffling their top order to accommodate all-rounder Cameron Green, who is returning from a back injury. Marnus Labuschagne could be promoted to open alongside Usman Khawaja, with teenager Sam Konstas likely to miss out.
Green, who will not bowl, could be replaced in the seam department by either Josh Hazlewood or Scott Boland, with all-rounder Beau Webster also under consideration. Australia enter the final with three batters – Khawaja, Smith and Travis Head – among the top ten run-scorers in the WTC cycle.
South Africa’s Pace Attack Key to Upset
South Africa will rely heavily on fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who returns after a one-month suspension. Rabada has taken 49 wickets against Australia at an average of 23.08 and boasts the best average at Lord’s among participating bowlers – 13 wickets at 19.38 from two Tests.
He is likely to be supported by Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, and one of Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson or Corbin Bosch. The Proteas could spring a surprise by fielding the uncapped Bosch, whose raw pace may challenge Australia’s experienced batting line-up.
Squads:
Australia Squad: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Matthew Kuhnemann
South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma(c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne(w), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Senuran Muthusamy, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch
