The 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship will reach its peak as South Africa and Australia meet in the final at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, from June 11–15, 2025. Australia’s journey showcased strong performances across conditions, while South Africa impressed with a resilient bowling attack.
This is South Africa’s first WTC final appearance, while Australia defends the title they won in 2023 against India. Fans worldwide can expect a thrilling contest for Test cricket’s ultimate prize.
Meanwhile, Australian star Glenn Maxwell has retired from ODI cricket after a 13-year career, citing physical demands. The two-time World Cup winner scored nearly 4,000 runs and holds the highest ODI batting strike rate for players with over 2,000 runs.
ICC WTC Final 2025 – Australia vs South Africa
The ICC World Test Championship Final, scheduled from June 11–15, 2025, at Lord’s, will see Australia and South Africa competing for Test cricket’s highest honor. Both teams earned their place by finishing at the top of the points table during the 2023–2025 cycle, demonstrating remarkable consistency and dominance.
The historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, often called the “Home of Cricket,” provides the perfect backdrop for this marquee event, where the prestigious Test mace is at stake. Australia and South Africa promise an intense and thrilling five-day spectacle as two of the strongest sides in red-ball cricket.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Australia vs South Africa |
| Date | June 11-15, 2025 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST (11:00 AM Local) |
| Venue | Lord’s Cricket Ground, London |
| Series | ICC World Test Championship |
| Season | 2025 |
| Hours of play | 11:00 start, Lunch 13:00-13:40, Tea 15:40-16:00, Close 18:00 |
| Match days | 11,12,13,14,15 June 2025 (5-day match) |
| Head-to-Head (Tests) | Played: 101, Australia: 54, South Africa: 26, Drawn: 21 |
Australia holds a significant advantage in their historical rivalry, but past statistics may count for little in a one-off final where both teams enter in excellent form.
Australia vs South Africa: Squad Details
Both teams have announced strong squads featuring experienced veterans and emerging talents.
Australia Squad:
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Scott Boland
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Cameron Green
- Josh Hazlewood
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis (wk)
- Usman Khawaja
- Sam Konstas
- Matthew Kuhnemann
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Nathan Lyon
- Steve Smith
- Mitchell Starc
- Beau Webster
Australia also named Brendan Doggett as a traveling reserve.
South Africa Squad:
- Temba Bavuma (c)
- David Bedingham
- Corbin Bosch
- Tony de Zorzi
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Aiden Markram
- Wiaan Mulder
- Senuran Muthusamy
- Lungi Ngidi
- Dane Paterson
- Kagiso Rabada
- Ryan Rickelton (wk)
- Tristan Stubbs
- Kyle Verreynne (wk)
Australia’s squad features a balanced mix of explosive batters, versatile all-rounders, and a formidable pace attack. South Africa counters with a potent pace battery led by Kagiso Rabada, supported by several versatile all-rounders who add depth to both batting and bowling departments.
ICC WTC 2025 Points Table
| Position | Team | Matches | Win | Loss | Draw | Points | PCT (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 100 | 69.44 |
| 2 | Australia | 19 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 154 | 67.54 |
| 3 | India | 19 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 114 | 50.00 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 81 | 48.21 |
| 5 | England | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 114 | 43.18 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 60 | 38.46 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 8 | West Indies | 13 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 44 | 28.21 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 14 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 47 | 27.98 |
It’s worth noting that the points system remained unchanged from the previous edition. Teams that fell behind the required over-rate at the end of a match had one point deducted for each over they were behind. The rankings were based on the percentage of total points won out of total points contested.
During this cycle, several teams faced point deductions for slow over-rates, including Australia (10 points), India (2 points), New Zealand (3 points), England (22 points), Bangladesh (3 points), and Pakistan (13 points). These deductions played a significant role in determining the final standings, with South Africa securing the top spot by a narrow margin.
Who Will Win the WTC Final 2025?
Predicting the winner of this clash between cricket titans is challenging, as both teams possess the quality and experience to triumph in high-pressure situations.
Australia’s Strengths:
- Experience of winning the previous WTC final
- World-class bowling attack suited to English conditions
- Batting depth with multiple match-winners
- Strong record against South Africa in Test matches
South Africa’s Strengths:
- Exceptional pace bowling suited to Lord’s conditions
- Determined batting lineup with good technique
- Excellent fielding standards
- Motivation to reach their first-ever WTC final
The conditions at Lord’s will play a crucial role in determining the outcome. The venue traditionally assists seam bowlers early in the match, making batting easier as the game progresses. If the weather is overcast, we can expect the pace bowlers from both sides to dominate proceedings.
Australia’s experience in high-pressure situations gives them a slight edge, but South Africa’s hunger to create history cannot be underestimated. The team that adapts better to the conditions and holds its nerve in crucial moments will likely emerge victorious.
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Conclusion: ICC WTC 2025 Final Set for June 11, 2025
The ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and South Africa promises a historic clash between two of Test cricket’s best teams. Both sides have earned their place at the top through dominant performances in the 2023-2025 cycle.
This final is more than a fight for the prestigious Test mace—it celebrates the purest form of cricket. Australia aims to cement their dynasty with back-to-back titles, while South Africa seeks their first-ever WTC crown.
Set at Lord’s Cricket Ground, this intense rivalry will captivate fans worldwide. Viewers can catch the live action on Star Sports 1 and Disney+ Hotstar in India, Amazon Prime Video in Australia, and SuperSport in South Africa.
As the cricket world focuses on Lord’s this June, all await the crowning of the new Test champions in a fitting end to an exceptional championship.
