The day that the entire cricket community has been waiting for for the past two years has finally arrived! The ICC World Test Championship is approaching its final, and much as we enjoyed following the battle between the teams, it is time to define the ultimate champion!
The final of the ICC World Test Championship is set to take place on 11-15 June 2025 at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The two teams meeting on the field will be the defending champion Australia and South Africa.
This will be the teams’ first meeting in this edition of the championship. In the ICC World Test Championship 2023, they played three games against each other, while in the 2019 edition their series were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Africa and Australia have a rich history playing against each other in various formats. One of the most memorable games was the historic tie of 1999 World Cup semi-final, after which Australia advanced to the final, as they had a superior net run rate. This match is still widely considered as one of the most legendary games of the Cricket World Cup.
Understanding the ICC World Test Championship
ICC World Test Championship (WTC) first cycle debuted in 2019-2021. Even though the championship has been around for only three seasons so far, it was first proposed in 1996 by former cricketer Clive Lloyd and the first proposal was discussed in 2009. This biennial cricket tournament is the top tier event in Test cricket.
Test cricket is often dubbed “the ultimate test” for players’ skills and endurance. It is considered the most traditional and prestigious form of cricket. With four innings (two per team) and at least ninety overs scheduled to be bowled per day, a test cricket match can last up to five days and has the longest playing time among other kinds of sports.
To qualify for the league stage of WTC, a team has to be placed in the top 9 of the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings. Currently, these teams include:
- Australia
- England
- South Africa
- India
- New Zealand
- Sri Lanka
- Pakistan
- West Indies
- Bangladesh
Each team has to play six series, three home and three away. A series consists of at least two and at most five Test matches.
Each game brings a team a certain amount of points: 12 for a win, 4 for a draw, and 6 for a tie. Teams can also lose points if at the end of the match they don’t reach the required over rate. Each over behind is worth 1 point.
Teams are ranked by the percentage of the points they accumulated against the points contested. Teams making it to the two highest positions in the league table proceed to the final to contend for the title of the champion.
Australia at the ICC World Test Championship
The current ICC World Test champions plunged into the WTC 2023-2025 cycle by winning two first games in the 2023 Ashes series against England. England won the third and the fifth games in the series, while the fourth one was a draw.
This was followed by three home games with Pakistan, all of which Australia won confidently. Two more home games against the West Indies came next, with both teams winning one game. Australia continued its triumphant journey by winning two games against their neighbours New Zealand.
Their first great defeat came at the hands of the Indian team, however Australia soon recovered and won the remaining three games, with one match ending in a draw. Their final step in the WCT cycle were two games against Sri Lanka. Australia took home both victories.
Having accumulated 154 out of 228 contested points (67.54%), Australia found itself in the second position of the league table and advanced to the finals.
Australia Team Stats
- Matches Played: 19
- Wins: 13
- Losses: 4
- Draws: 2
- Points: 154
- PCT: 67.54%
Australia Previous Results
The Ashes, Australia 2 – 2 England
16 – 20 June 2023, Australia won by 2 wickets
| England | Australia |
| 393/8d (78 overs) | 386 (116.1 overs) |
| 273 (66.2 overs) | 282/8 (92.3 overs) |
28 June – 2 July 2023, Australia won by 43 runs
| Australia | England |
| 416 (100.4 overs) | 325 (76.2 overs) |
| 279 (101.5 overs) | 327 (81.3 overs) |
6 – 10 July 2023, England won by 3 wickets
| Australia | England |
| 263 (60.4 overs) | 237 (52.3 overs) |
| 224 (67.1 overs) | 254/7 (50 overs) |
19 – 23 July 2023, match drawn
| Australia | England |
| 317 (90.2 overs) | 592 (107.4 overs) |
| 214/5 (71 overs) |
27 – 31 July 2023, England won by 49 runs
| England | Australia |
| 283 (54.4 overs) | 295 (103.1 overs) |
| 395 (81.5 overs) | 334 (94.4 overs) |
Benaud–Qadir Trophy, Australia 3 – 0 Pakistan
14 – 17 December 2023, Australia won by 360 runs
| Australia | Pakistan |
| 487 (113.2 overs) | 271 (101.5 overs) |
| 5/233d (63.2 overs) | 89 (30.2 overs) |
26 – 29 December 2023, Australia won by 79 runs
| Australia | Pakistan |
| 318 (96.5 overs) | 264 (73.5 overs) |
| 262 (84.1 overs) | 237 (67.2 overs) |
3 – 6 January 2024, Australia won by 8 wickets
| Pakistan | Australia |
| 313 (77.1 overs) | 299 (109.4 overs) |
| 115 (43.1 overs) | 2/130 (25.5 overs) |
Frank Worrell Trophy, Australia 1 – 1 West Indies
17 – 19 January 2024, Australia won by 10 wickets
| West Indies | Australia |
| 188 (62.1 overs) | 283 (81.1 overs) |
| 120 (35.2 overs) | 26/0 (6.4 overs) |
25 – 28 January 2024, West Indies won by 8 runs
| West Indies | Australia |
| 311 (108 overs) | 9/289d (53 overs) |
| 193 (72.3 overs) | 207 (50.5 overs) |
Trans–Tasman Trophy, Australia 2 – 0 New Zealand
29 February – 4 March 2024, Australia won by 172 runs
| Australia | New Zealand |
| 383 (115.1 overs) | 179 (43.1 overs) |
| 164 (51.1 overs) | 196 (64.4 overs) |
8 – 11 March 2024, Australia won by 3 wickets
| New Zealand | Australia |
| 162 (45.2 overs) | 256 (68 overs) |
| 372 (108.2 overs) | 281/7 (65 overs) |
Border–Gavaskar Trophy, Australia 3 – 1 India
22 – 25 November 2024, India won by 295 runs
| India | Australia |
| 150 (49.4 overs) | 104 (51.2 overs) |
| 6/487d (134.3 overs) | 238 (58.4 overs) |
6 – 8 December 2024, Australia won by 10 wickets
| India | Australia |
| 180 (44.1 overs) | 337 (87.3 overs) |
| 175 (36.5 overs) | 0/19 (3.2 overs) |
14 – 18 December 2024, match drawn
| Australia | India |
| 445 (117.1 overs) | 260 (78.5 overs) |
| 7/89d (18 overs) | 0/8 (2.1 overs) |
26 – 30 December 2024, Australia won by 184 runs
| Australia | India |
| 474 (122.4 overs) | 369 (119.3 overs) |
| 234 (83.4 overs) | 155 (79.1 overs) |
3 – 5 January 2025, Australia won by 6 wickets
| India | Australia |
| 185 (72.2 overs) | 181 (51 overs) |
| 156 (39.5 overs) | 4/162 (27 overs) |
Warne–Muralitharan Trophy, Australia 2 – 0 Sri Lanka
29 January – 2 February 2025, Australia won by an inning and 242 runs
| Australia | Sri Lanka |
| 654/6d (154 overs) | 165 (52.2 overs) |
| 247 (54.3 overs) (f/o) |
6 – 10 February 2025, Australia won by 9 wickets
| Sri Lanka | Australia |
| 257 (97.4 overs) | 414 (106.4 overs) |
| 231 (68.1 overs) | 75/1 (17.4 overs) |
Australia Squad Overview
Australia announced their squad for the finals on 13 May:
- Usman Khawaja
- Sam Konstas
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Alex Carey
- Josh Inglis
- Cameron Green
- Beau Webster
- Pat Cummins (captain)
- Mitchell Starc
- Josh Hazlewood
- Scott Boland
- Nathan Lyon
- Matt Kuhnemann
- Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett
Captain Pat Cummins and pace bowler Josh Hazlewood will be returning to the field, having recovered from injuries.
Left-handed batter Travis Head appeared in all 19 matches Australia played in the 2023-2025 World Test Championship. With 1177 runs and three centuries scored, Head contributed significantly to Australia’s ascend to the top in this championship. He has been ranked the eighth batter in the Men’s Test Batting rankings. Remembering his game in the 2023 Test final, where he played a major role in Australia’s victory, many hope he will show the same class this time round.
Another player to look out for is the newcomer Sam Konstas who made his WTC debut in the match against India on 26 December 2024. Konstas reached 50 runs from 52 balls, becoming the third fastest 50 by an Australian debutant in Test cricket.
South Africa at the ICC World Test Championship
Last year’s third place team began the WTC 2023-2025 cycle with a home win against India, but then lost to them in the second game. The next two games against New Zealand were equally disastrous for South Africa, both ending in defeat.
The first match against the West Indies ended in a draw, but then South Africa seemed to turn the game into their favour, winning the second match against The Windies, as well as two games against Bangladesh and two games against Sri Lanka.
Their final rival in the cycle was Pakistan. One win out of two would have guaranteed South Africa a place in the finals, but they went on to win both matches.
Having accumulated 100 out of 144 contested points (69.44%), South Africa climbed to the top of the league table and advanced to the finals.
South Africa Team Stats
- Matches Played: 12
- Wins: 8
- Losses: 3
- Draws: 1
- Points: 100
- PCT: 69.44%
South Africa Previous Results
Freedom Trophy, South Africa 1 – 1 India
26 – 29 December 2023, South Africa won by an inning and 32 runs
| India | South Africa |
| 245 (67.4 overs) | 408 (108.4 overs) |
| 131 (34.1 overs) |
3 – 4 January 2024, India won by 7 wickets
| South Africa | India |
| 55 (23.2 overs) | 153 (34.5 overs) |
| 176 (36.5 overs) | 80/3 (12 overs) |
Tangiwai Shield, New Zealand 2 – 0 South Africa
4 – 7 February 2024, New Zealand won by 281 runs
| New Zealand | South Africa |
| 511 (144 overs) | 162 (72.5 overs) |
| 179/4d (43 overs) | 247 (80 overs) |
13 – 16 February 2024, New Zealand won by 7 wickets
| South Africa | New Zealand |
| 242 (97.2 overs) | 211 (77.3 overs) |
| 235 (69.5 overs) | 269/3 (94.2 overs) |
Sir Vivian Richards Trophy, South Africa 1 – 0 West Indies
7 – 11 August 2024, match drawn
| South Africa | West Indies |
| 357 (117.4 overs) | 233 (91.5 overs) |
| 173/3d (29 overs) | 201/5 (56.2 overs) |
15 – 17 August 2024, South Africa won by 40 runs
| South Africa | West Indies |
| 160 (54 overs) | 144 (42.4 overs) |
| 246 (80.4 overs) | 222 (66.2 overs) |
Bangladesh vs South Africa, South Africa 2 – 0 Bangladesh
21 – 24 October 2024, South Africa won by 7 wickets
| Bangladesh | South Africa |
| 106 (40.1 overs) | 308 (88.4 overs) |
| 307 (89.5 overs) | 106/3 (22 overs) |
29 October – 31 October 2024, South Africa won by an inning and 273 runs
| South Africa | Bangladesh |
| 575/6d (144.2 overs) | 159 (45.2 overs) |
| 143 (43 overs) (f/o) |
South Africa vs Sri Lanka, South Africa 2 – 0 Sri Lanka
27 November – 30 November 2024, South Africa won by 233 runs
| South Africa | Sri Lanka |
| 191 (49.4 overs) | 42 (13.5 overs) |
| 366/5d (100.4 overs) | 282 (79.4 overs) |
5 – 9 December 2024, South Africa won by 109 runs
| South Africa | Sri Lanka |
| 358 (103.4 overs) | 328 (99.2 overs) |
| 317 (86 overs) | 238 (69.1 overs) |
South Africa vs Pakistan, South Africa 2 – 0 Pakistan
26 – 29 December 2024, South Africa won by 2 wickets
| Pakistan | South Africa |
| 211 (57.3 overs) | 301 (73.4 overs) |
| 237 (59.4 overs) | 150/8 (39.3 overs) |
3 – 6 January 2025, South Africa won by 10 wickets
| South Africa | Pakistan |
| 615 (141.3 overs) | 194 (54.2 overs) |
| 61/0 (7.1 overs) | 478 (122.1 overs) (f/o) |
South Africa Squad Overview
South Africa announced their squad for the finals on 13 May:
- Tony de Zorzi
- Ryan Rickelton
- Aiden Markram
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- David Bedingham
- Tristan Stubbs
- Kyle Verreynne
- Wiaan Mulder
- Marco Jansen
- Corbin Bosch
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ngidi
- Dane Paterson
- Keshav Maharaj
- Senuran Muthusamy
If you have to name one player who made a crucial input in South Africa’s journey to the top, it will be the bowler Kagiso Rabada who shows outstanding statistics with 47 wickets in 10 Tests, three five-wicket hauls, and a brilliant 19.97 average. Rabada has recently been ranked as number two in the Men’s Test Bowling rankings.
Captain Temba Bavuma will be returning to the field after an elbow issue, as will David Bedingham who previously suffered a toe fracture. The 2023-2025 WTC cycle marks Bedingham’s long awaited debut in international cricket.
South Africa vs Australia: Head to Head History
| Date | South Africa | Australia | Result |
| 22 – 25 March 2018 | 311 & 373 | 255 & 107 | South Africa won by 322 runs |
| 30 March – 3 April 2018 | 488 & 344/6d | 221 & 119 | South Africa won by 492 runs |
| 17 – 18 December 2022 | 152 & 99 | 218 & 35/4 | Australia won by 6 wickets |
| 26 – 29 December 2022 | 189 & 204 | 575/8d | Australia won by an inning and 182 runs |
| 04 – 08 January 2023 | 475/4d | 255 & 106/2 | Match drawn |
Venue Spotlight: Lord’s Cricket Ground
The venue of the ICC WTC final is a character and a legend in its own right. Lord’s Cricket Ground, or simply the Lord’s, is often called the “home of cricket”. It was founded by an English professional cricketer Thomas Lord and is located at St John’s Wood, Westminster, London.
The original cricket ground, found in 1787, was moved twice during Lord’s lifetime, until it finally settled in the current location in 1814. It houses several cricket regulatory bodies, including Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and the ICC Europe. Before its move to Dubai, United Arab Emirates in August 2005, the International Cricket Council (ICC) also used to be located at the Lord’s.
In 211 years of its existence, Lord’s hosted numerous domestic and international matches. A lot of them had historical meaning for the development of cricket. For example, it is at the Lord’s that the very first University Match between Oxford and Cambridge took place in 1827. World’s first televised Test match also took place at the Lord’s during the Second Test of the 1938 Ashes series.
ICC World Test Championship Final Betting Odds
With so many eyes on the ICC World Test Championship Final, punters are trying to predict the result of the game as well as bet on various other cricket markets.
At 7bet, we offer a wide range of cricket betting markets both for domestic and international events.
Please note that odds for the ICC World Test Championship Final will be available closer to the event date.
Some of the most popular cricket betting markets include:
- Match Winner: This is the easiest to understand bet, where the bettor places a wager on the team most likely to win.
- Top Bowler: You bet which individual player will take the most wickets in the game.
- Top Batter: You bet which individual player will score the most runs in the game.
- Man of the Match: Place a wager on a player you think is most likely to have the most overall performance.
Other common markets are: total runs for the team (usually expressed in an over/under format), total runs odd/even, first innings overs, and others.
When it comes to odds, cricket uses the same general approach as other sports. In the UK, fractional odds (e.g. 4/6) are the most common format, while decimals (e.g. 2.5) are spread in most of Europe and some other countries. Another common format used in the USA, Canada, and several other countries are the American odds (e.g. +120, -150).
If you want to learn more about how cricket betting markets and odds work, we have a detailed guide just for that.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and treat betting as a form of entertainment and not means for financial gain.
How to Watch the ICC World Test Championship Final
In the UK, Sky Sports holds the license for broadcasting of the ICC World Test Championship Final. The match will be broadcast live.
When: June 11–15, 2025 (reserve day: June 16)
What time: 10:30 am BST
TV channel: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event
Streaming platforms: https://www.skysports.com/, https://www.sky.com/watch/sky-go/windows, https://www.nowtv.com/
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org