Australia and South Africa to play WTC Final at Lord’s

On the back of beating India in a Test series for the first time in a decade and reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after eight years, Australia have qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. 

They will play South Africa in the final of the mega event at Lord’s from June 11. Last week, the Proteas made it to the summit clash after triumphing over Pakistan in Centurion. 

This is the second consecutive cycle in which the Aussies have made it to the WTC Final. They are the current holders of the mace, having triumphed over India in the 2023 final at The Oval by 209 runs. 

The result means that the two-Test series between Australia and Sri Lanka, starting later this month, will be a dead rubber. Thus the two Tests might provide the Kangaroos with a chance to rest some of their big guns, particularly the bowlers, and give a few youngsters a go. 

The result at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) also means that India have failed to make it to the WTC Final for the first time ever. The Men in Blue made it to the summit clash in the 2019-21 cycle but lost to New Zealand. Then they fell short against the Aussies in 2023.