New Delhi: Australia will be bidding to win their second successive title while South Africa will be gunning to bring an end to their long-standing ICC trophy droight when the two teams lock horns in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on Wednesday, June 11. South Africa and Australia secured the two spots, respectively, on the WTC points table to book a spot in the final.
Both teams produced some impressive performances throughout their respective campaigns in the WTC 2023-25 cycle to make it to the final. South Africa topped the points table with eight wins from 12 matches, while Australia bagged 13 victories in a total of 19 matches to finish in the second spot. The two teams will be locking horns in a Test match for the first time in 2 years in the WTC final.
The two finalists didn’t meet in the 2023-25 cycle. Australia defeated South Africa 2-0 at home in the last Test series between the two teams at their home. Both teams have a great record at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in Tests. While South Africa have 8 victories in 12 Test matches at the venue, Australia have 13 wins in 19 Tests at the venue, but have been unbeaten there for a decade in the longest format.
South Africa’s road to World Test Championship final
South Africa topped the World Test Championship 2023-25 points table with a win percentage of 69.44% after bagging 8 wins from 12 matches. They drew one Test match and lost three to secure a spot in the final. Led by skipper Temba Bavuma, South Africa enjoyed a dominant run at home and showcased remarkable grit and adaptability to secure entry into their maiden final.
South Africa started their WTC 2023-25 campaign with a 1-1 draw in the home Test series against India. They lost 2-0 to New Zealand away from home, but bounced back quickly to beat West Indies 1-0 in an away series in the Caribbean. South Africa defeated Bangladesh 2-0 before clean-sweeping Sri Lanka 2-0 at home to edge closer to their maiden WTC final.
South Africa sealed their spot in the summit clash after beating Pakistan 2-0 at home, which included a thrilling two-wicket win against Centurion. South Africa won their last seven Test matches on the trot in the WTC 2023-25 cycle to book their spot in the final. Bavuma-led Proteas will be looking to bring an end to their 25-year-long ICC title drought with a win in the final against Australia.
Australia’s road to World Test Championship final
Defending champions Australia continued their dominant run in the WTC 2023-25 cycle with 13 wins in 19 matches. Australia finished second in the WTC 2023-25 points table with a win percentage of 67.54%. The no.1 ranked Test team, Australia are eyeing their second successive Test mace as they aim to retain the World Test Championship crown.
Australia began their journey in the WTC 2023-25 cycle with a 2-2 draw against England in the Ashes. Australia got off to a strong start by winning the first two Tests in the Ashes, but England fought back to draw the series 2-2. Australia went on to clean sweep Pakistan 3-0 at home in their next assignment before playing out a 1-1 draw against West Indies.
Australia next defeated New Zealand 2-0 away from home before thrashing India 3-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at home. Australia lost the opening Test against India in Perth, but bounced back to win three of the next four Test matches to claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 3-1 victory in the five-match series.
Australia, who have an unmatched pedigree when it comes to big-ticket ICC finals across formats, will be eyeing their second WTC title in the final against South Africa. Australia have lost only thrice in 13 finals in major ICC tournaments, across the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship.
Australia will take on South Africa in the much-antcipated World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on June 11. Here is a look at Australia and South Africa’s road to the final. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
