The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 cycle is finally reaching its climax. The final match is set to begin on Wednesday, June 11, at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. In this title clash, Australia will face the determined challenge of South Africa, a team eager to end its long title drought.
Australia is the only team to have won all four ICC trophies — the ODI World Cup, Champions Trophy, T20 World Cup, and the WTC. Defeating them in an ICC final has always been a major challenge. The Aussies have reached 13 ICC finals and have won 10 of them.
On the other hand, South Africa is often labelled “chokers” for failing to cross the finish line in crucial matches. So far, they have won just one ICC trophy — the Champions Trophy in 1998. However, this current South African squad boasts a healthy mix of youth and experience and will be aiming to shed the “chokers” tag with a win at this neutral venue.
South Africa used the most players in this WTC cycle — 30 in total — many of whom delivered when it mattered, either with the bat or ball. They are coming into the final on the back of seven consecutive Test wins and had qualified for the final as early as December last year.
For Australia, one of the biggest decisions was to find a suitable opening partner for Usman Khawaja. From the playing XI that featured in the previous WTC final against India, only David Warner is missing. Medium-pacer Josh Hazlewood, who missed that final due to injury, is now fit and has replaced Scott Boland. Hazlewood recently helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the IPL 2025 title with 22 wickets in 12 matches.
Marnus Labuschagne’s form is a concern in the middle order, but all-rounder Cameron Green has made a strong comeback after surgery, scoring three centuries in county cricket for Gloucestershire. Australia’s bowling attack remains one of the most experienced in the world, featuring four of their top 10 wicket-takers: Nathan Lyon (553, 3rd), Mitchell Starc (382, 4th), captain Pat Cummins (294, 8th), and Hazlewood (279, 10th).
Steve Smith, who will soon turn 36, hasn’t played competitive cricket since March. The same goes for Khawaja, Lyon, and keeper Alex Carey. However, Smith has scored four centuries in his last five Tests and has crossed the 10,000-run mark in Tests — nearly equal to the total Test runs scored by the entire South African squad. His Test average at Lord’s is around 58. His biggest challenge in the final will be handling Kagiso Rabada, who has dismissed Khawaja five times in 10 Tests.
Rabada has 327 Test wickets to his name and will expect strong support from Marco Jansen, who took 29 wickets in just six matches during the WTC cycle. Lungi Ngidi is the third pace option for Proteas.
Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton will open the innings for South Africa, with captain Temba Bavuma expected to bat at number four. Their highest run-scorer in this WTC cycle, David Bedingham, proved his fitness in a warm-up game against Zimbabwe after recovering from a finger fracture in April.
Both teams have a strong record at Lord’s. South Africa has lost only once in seven Tests at this venue, while Australia is unbeaten here in the last 10 years.
SA vs AUS Confirmed Playing XIs for WTC Final:
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (capt), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.