Battle for the Mace: Australia vs. South Africa in the WTC Final 2025
London, England – June 10, 2025 – The cricketing world holds its breath as the ultimate test of endurance, skill, and strategy is set to unfold. The iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London will host the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle, pitting two titans of Test cricket against each other: defending champions Australia and a formidable South African side looking to etch their name in history.
Starting on Wednesday, June 11, and running through Sunday, June 15, 2025, this five-day battle promises to be a gripping spectacle. A reserve day is scheduled for June 16 in case of weather interruptions, a common consideration for Test cricket in England. The action will commence daily at 11:00 AM local time (3:30 PM IST), drawing in millions of fans across the globe.
The Road to Lord’s: A Cycle of Dominance
Both Australia and South Africa have navigated a demanding two-year WTC cycle, demonstrating consistent performance and resilience to secure their spots in the final.
- South Africa, under the astute leadership of Temba Bavuma, topped the WTC standings with an impressive 69.44 percentage of points (PCT). They showcased remarkable consistency, winning eight out of their 12 Tests, including decisive series victories against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. This marks South Africa’s maiden appearance in a WTC final, and they are desperate to break their long-standing drought for an ICC global trophy, their last triumph being the 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy.
- Australia, led by the dynamic Pat Cummins, finished second on the table with a PCT of 67.54. The reigning WTC champions, who defeated India in the 2023 final, are aiming to become the first team to lift the prestigious Mace twice, cementing their legacy as one of the greatest Test sides of their era. Their journey to the final included strong performances against England (2-2 draw in the Ashes), a dominant 3-0 home series win against Pakistan, and a crucial 3-1 victory over India at home.
The Lord’s Stage: A Historic Venue
Lord’s, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket,” adds an extra layer of prestige to this high-stakes encounter. The venue’s rich history and unique characteristics, including its sloping outfield and the infamous Lord’s honours boards, will provide a fitting backdrop. It will be the first time in 113 years that Australia and South Africa have met in a Test match at Lord’s, with their previous neutral encounter being in 1912.
Squads and Key Players: Battle-Hardened Lineups
Both teams boast a blend of seasoned veterans and exciting young talent, setting the stage for individual brilliance and tactical masterclasses.
Australia Squad:
- Usman Khawaja
- Sam Konstas
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Josh Inglis
- Cameron Green
- Beau Webster
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Mitchell Starc
- Josh Hazlewood
- Scott Boland
- Nathan Lyon
- Matt Kuhnemann
- Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett
Australia’s Probable Playing XI (as announced by Pat Cummins):
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Cameron Green
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Beau Webster
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Josh Hazlewood
Key players for Australia: Travis Head, whose aggressive century clinched the 2023 WTC Final, will be crucial. Steve Smith (ranked 5th in ICC Test Batting Rankings) with his exceptional Lord’s record, and the formidable pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood (ranked 3rd and 4th respectively in ICC Test Bowling Rankings) along with the ever-reliable Nathan Lyon, will be instrumental in their quest for back-to-back titles. The selection of Marnus Labuschagne as opener and Josh Hazlewood over Scott Boland highlights strategic choices.
South Africa Squad:
- Tony de Zorzi
- Ryan Rickelton
- Aiden Markram
- Temba Bavuma (c)
- David Bedingham
- Tristan Stubbs
- Kyle Verreynne (wk)
- Wiaan Mulder
- Marco Jansen
- Corbin Bosch
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ngidi
- Dane Paterson
- Keshav Maharaj
- Senuran Muthusamy
South Africa’s Playing XI (as announced by Temba Bavuma):
- Aiden Markram
- Ryan Rickelton
- Wiaan Mulder
- Temba Bavuma (c)
- Tristan Stubbs
- David Bedingham
- Kyle Verreynne (wk)
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ngidi
Key players for South Africa: Ryan Rickelton has been their top run-scorer in this WTC cycle. Captain Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram will be vital in shoring up the batting. In bowling, the pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada (ranked 2nd in ICC Test Bowling Rankings) and Lungi Ngidi, ably supported by Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder, will be South Africa’s primary weapon. The decision to play Mulder at number 3 and Ngidi over Paterson is a tactical move aiming for more pace and experience.
Pitch and Weather Conditions:
Lord’s typically offers a balanced surface, providing assistance to seamers with the new ball, especially in English conditions. The pitch is expected to flatten out from day two onwards, allowing batters to score. The weather forecast for London suggests cloudy conditions throughout the five days, with potential for occasional showers and high humidity, which could aid swing bowling.
Prize Money and Stakes:
The ICC has significantly increased the prize money for the 2025 final. The champions will take home a substantial USD $3.6 million, more than double the previous edition, while the runners-up will receive USD $2.16 million. These enhanced rewards reflect the growing importance and prestige of the World Test Championship.
The Narrative: Legacy vs. Redemption
For Australia, this final represents an opportunity to solidify their position as the dominant force in Test cricket, aiming for an unprecedented second WTC title. For South Africa, it’s a chance to overcome their historical “chokers” tag in ICC tournaments and finally lift a major global trophy, a moment that would mean everything to their cricketing nation. The rivalry between these two nations in Test cricket is storied and fierce, promising a compelling contest.
As the first ball is bowled on Wednesday, the cricketing world will be watching to see who emerges victorious from this ultimate Test challenge at Lord’s.