The 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship will reach its pinnacle as South Africa and Australia clash in the final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London from June 11–15, 2025. This highly anticipated contest combines two cricketing powerhouses with contrasting journeys to the final. Australia’s path was defined by commanding performances across diverse conditions, showcasing exceptional depth and adaptability. South Africa, meanwhile, demonstrated remarkable resilience, powered by a potent bowling attack that overcame stiff challenges with determination and strategic prowess.
This marks South Africa’s first-ever appearance in the WTC final, while Australia enters as the defending champions, having defeated India in the 2023 final. With both teams displaying exceptional consistency throughout the championship cycle, cricket fans worldwide can expect a thrilling battle for Test cricket’s ultimate prize.
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 will Take Place on June 11, 2025
The ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and South Africa promises to be a historic clash between two of the best teams in Test cricket. With their dominant performances throughout the 2023-2025 cycle, both sides have earned their place at the pinnacle of the sport.
This final represents more than just a battle for the prestigious Test mace—it’s a celebration of the purest form of cricket. It’s an opportunity for Australia to cement their dynasty by winning back-to-back championships. For South Africa, it’s a chance to break new ground and claim their first-ever WTC title.
As the stage is set at Lord’s Cricket Ground, the intense rivalry between Australia and South Africa will captivate fans worldwide. Cricket enthusiasts can witness this epic encounter live across various platforms: Star Sports 1 and Disney+ Hotstar in India, Amazon Prime Video in Australia, and SuperSport in South Africa.
As the cricketing world turns its attention to Lord’s this June, we await the crowning of the new Test cricket champions in what promises to be a fitting finale to an exceptional championship cycle.
