The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final match between South Africa and Australia will be played at the prestigious Lord's Cricket Ground in London from June 11 to 15, 2025.
Sports News: The third ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final will be played between South Africa and Australia at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground in London from June 11 to 15. This match is for the biggest title in Test cricket, and it will be a special occasion for both teams. However, the weather has also begun to play its part.
According to the weather forecast, there is a possibility of rain during the match, which could affect the game. This raises the question of who will be the winner if the match is drawn and what will happen to the prize money? Let's find out in detail.
Importance of the WTC Final 2025 and Preparations of Both Teams
This is the third WTC final. New Zealand won the first final by defeating India, while Australia defeated India in the second final. India did not make it to the final this time, increasing the anticipation for a new champion. The South African team, known for its fast bowling, is playing in the WTC final for the first time.
Under the captaincy of Temba Bavuma, the team has performed brilliantly and is now trying to win the title against one of the world's best Test teams. On the other hand, Australia has made it to the final for the second consecutive time and will strive to win its second World Test Championship title.
WTC Final Schedule and Reserve Day
- Dates: June 11 to June 15
- Reserve Day: June 16
- Time: From 3 PM IST
- Venue: Lord's Cricket Ground, London
A notable feature this time is the inclusion of a reserve day. Its purpose is to complete the match if it is interrupted due to rain or poor light. The Lord's pitch and weather will both make this contest interesting.
What Happens if the Match is Drawn?
In the WTC 2023-25 season points table, South Africa was ranked first and Australia second. However, according to rule 16.3.3, if the final match is drawn, both teams will be declared joint winners. This means both teams will receive the champion's honor, and the prize money will be shared equally.
According to this rule, no single team will win the title if the match ends without a result. The ICC has specifically implemented this rule for this final to avoid any controversy during the match.
Prize Money Distribution
The winning team in the World Test Championship final will receive US$3.6 million (approximately ₹30 crore), while the runner-up team will receive approximately US$2.2 million (approximately ₹18 crore). If the match is drawn, both teams will share the prize money equally, resulting in significant financial benefits for both.
Role of Lord's Pitch and Weather
The Lord's Cricket Ground pitch is considered favorable to fast bowlers. The ball swings well here, and the bounce is sufficient. A key characteristic of the pitch is that fast bowlers benefit in the initial days, and as the match progresses, the pitch becomes slightly more challenging for batsmen. 147 Test matches have been played at Lord's so far, with the team batting first winning 53 times and the team bowling first winning 43 times.
Regarding the weather, cloudy conditions and the possibility of rain are expected in London between June 11 and 15. The presence of a reserve day will therefore be helpful in completing the match. Although rain will pose a challenge, the reserve day increases the likelihood of the match's completion.
Team Prospects and Strategy
South Africa's fast bowling and Australia's balanced team will make this final exciting. South Africa, under Temba Bavuma's captaincy, has a blend of aggressive batting and fast bowling, while Australia remains a b team and can challenge any team in the world.
Both teams will adopt aggressive and cautious strategies, keeping in mind the impact of rain. Bowlers will try to gain control of the match through their batting strength, as the Lord's pitch tends to favor bowlers.
