London: The stage is set at Lord's for what is expected to be a exciting ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, as reigning champions Australia prepare to defend their title against a strong South African team seeking to make history. This will be Australia's second straight participation in a WTC final, following their triumph in the 2023 edition over India, while it will be South Africa's first-ever attempt at Test cricket's greatest prize.
The game pits two teams with remarkable records at the famous Lord's Cricket Ground, sometimes known as the Home of Cricket. Australia have played 23 Tests at the site, winning 12, losing two, and drawing nine. South Africa has won five of its seven Tests at Lord's since returning to international cricket in 1991, with one draw and only one defeat, which occurred in 2017. In their previous visit to the stadium in 2022, the Proteas surprised England with a convincing innings win in three days. With both sides having rich history at the venue, the final has appropriately been billed as a battle between the Lords of Lord's.
Both sides have a lot to lose. A victory for Australia would be the first time any country has effectively defended the WTC crown, adding to their 2023 victory. It would also be captain Pat Cummins' third ICC trophy in less than two years, following his team's victories in the 2023 World Test Championship and the World Cup, both times defeating India in the final. This game provides South Africa with a fantastic chance to break the long-standing chokers tag and win their first significant ICC championship since the 1998 Champions Trophy, now known as the ICC Knockout.
South Africa's route to the final has been defined by consistency and supremacy. They topped the WTC standings with a points percentage of 69. 44, thanks to excellent wins against the West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Australia, who finished second with a points percentage of 67. 54, had a more varied campaign, winning 13, losing four, and drawing two of their 19 games. Their trip included a 22 draw in the Ashes against England, a 30 whitewash of Pakistan, a 11 draw against the West Indies, a 20 away win in New Zealand, a 31 triumph over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and a 20 victory in Sri Lanka.
Among the numerous subplots to this final, the confrontation between Steve Smith and Kagiso Rabada stands out as potentially match-defining. In 15 innings of confrontation, Smith has amassed 128 runs off Rabada's deliveries, with an average of 48. 85 and a strike rate of 32. 00. Despite giving up 16 fours and two sixes, the South African paceman has removed him four times and held him quiet with 207 dot balls. Rabada's record at Lord's adds to the fascination, as he averages only 19. 38 with 13 wickets in two Tests, including a five-wicket haul. At the venue, only Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc have similar figures. Smith, on the other hand, is equally dominating at Lord's, having amassed 525 runs in five Tests at an average of 58. 33, including two hundreds and two fifties. His most recent innings at the venue was a superb 110 versus England in the 2023 Ashes.
Australia captain Pat Cummins emphasized the need to accept pressure circumstances before the final.
When you have some success, you want to experience more of it, which means that when the going gets difficult or the pressure is high, you welcome it. You accept the task. You want to be the matchwinner. Hopefully you aren't overwhelmed by major events, he remarked, according to ESPNcricinfo.
South African captain Temba Bavuma confirmed that Lungi Ngidi would play ahead of Dane Paterson, citing Ngidi's extra speed and bounce to the squad.
We witnessed what Patto (Paterson) did for us at the conclusion of last season. However, from a strategic standpoint, Lungi has a little bit more speed. He is also taller, Bavuma said.
Australia's playing eleven: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa's starting XI: Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
