New Delhi: South Africa would have to battle their fumbling past history apart from Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s from Wednesday.
They have been perennial underachievers in international cricket with a much-publicised record of faltering in high-stakes matches across formats.
It is in stark contrast to serial winners Australia, who have won 10 of 13 world titles across the 50-over, 20-over and Test formats.
They are the defending champions too, having walloped India by 209 runs in the final of its last edition in 2023. Unbeaten in any series in the 2023-25 cycle so far, they have won four of their six series to qualify to the title round as second in the points table.
South Africa topped the standings and would back themselves after winning their last seven matches and qualifying ahead of Australia for the final.
“We haven’t been super dominant in our performances. We definitely haven’t been clinical or ruthless when the opportunity or the situation is called upon. But I think what we’ve done is that we’ve found ways to make sure that the result is on our side,” SA skipper Temba Bavuma said on the eve of the match.
Australia won’t be short on confidence either though for them it more about extending their legacy with back-to-back titles.
“In my eyes, we’re on a journey to becoming a great Australian team. We’re not there yet, I’m well aware of that, but that’s our goal too. This game is another step up that ladder,” their star off-spinner Nathan Lyon pointed out.
Team composition puzzle
South Africa used 30 players during the three-year cycle, the most by any team, and have found players delivering at crucial junctures to tilt outcome of matches in their favour.
Australia have a settled look with the same set of players, barring the retired David Warner, taking the field on Wednesday. The only change is their achiles heel, as they are yet to find a settled opening partner to Usman Khawaja.
Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Sam Konstas have been tried out with mixed results and Travis Head looks like the preferred candidate as of now.
Kagiso Rabada would fancy a shot at Khawaja, having dismissed him five time in 10 matches, and will have Marco Jansen and either Lungi Ngidi or Dane Paterson to share the new-ball duties.
Australia’s formidable bowling attack comprising Nathan Lyon (553 wickets), Mitchell Starc (382), skipper Pat Cummins (294), Josh Hazlewood (279) and returning all-rounder Cameron Green would also like to test the South African batters.
Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton are the Protean openers while captain Bavuma would come in at No. 4. David Bedingham is their middle-order batter, having recovered from a broken toe sustained in April.
Smith would be Australia’s main batter and he has struck four centuries in his last five tests, and his 10,271 career runs are almost as many as the entire South African team.
He fancies batting at Lord’s too, where he averages 58 and is looking for a “fun week”.
“At Lord’s, there’s always sort of something going on. There’s always something going off for the bowlers, particularly if the clouds roll in. And then when the clouds are out, it can be really nice to bat,” he said on Monday.
“It’s a cool game playing here in England. I enjoy the sort of intricacies of what you need to do at certain periods. Whether you need to tighten things up or get a bit more aggressive. It should be a fun week.”
Match details:
Match begins at 3:30 PM IST.
Live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar app.
Potential meets pedigree as South Africa face defending champions Australia in the ICC WTC final that begins on Wednesday at Lord’s. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
