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WTC Final 2025: Does Australia’s Experience Give Them an Edge Over South Africa?
Australia vs South Africa Set for Clash at Lord’s in World Test Championship Final
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 is all set to be held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, and once again, Australia enter as strong favourites. Despite finishing just behind South Africa in the WTC standings, the Aussies bring unmatched experience and proven success in English conditions.
With 772 combined Test caps in their 15-member squad — compared to South Africa’s 367 — the Aussies not only boast greater exposure but also a track record of delivering on big stages.
Australia’s Experience in England Could Be the Deciding Factor
A deep dive into the squads reveals a stark contrast. Eleven Australian players have prior Test experience in England, accumulating 120 matches among them. Meanwhile, South Africa’s nine experienced players combine for just 28 appearances.
Consider this: Steven Smith alone has scored 2255 Test runs in England, which is nearly three times more than South Africa’s entire squad combined (771 runs). On the bowling front, each of Australia’s frontline pacers has over 50 Test wickets in English conditions. South Africa’s bowling unit, in total, has managed only 62 wickets in England.
This gulf in experience could prove critical in pressure moments, especially in a one-off final.
Lord’s: A Venue That Favors the Bold and the Experienced
Australia’s Winning History at Lord’s
Australia have long enjoyed success at the “Home of Cricket.” Since the end of World War II, they have played 23 Tests at Lord’s, winning 12, drawing 9, and losing only 2. Their win-loss ratio of 2.571 is higher than even England’s (1.685).
South Africa, too, have had their moments at Lord’s. Since readmission, they have won five of seven Tests, losing just one. Memorable victories in 2003 and 2012, especially under Graeme Smith, showcased their resilience and class.
Fast Bowlers in Focus: Lord’s Favors Seam
In the recent era, fast bowlers have dominated at Lord’s. Since 2022, seamers have bowled 83.64% of all overs, claiming 88.2% of the wickets. These numbers make Lord’s the best venue for quicks among England’s six Test centers in terms of average and strike rate.
Bowling Stats at Lord’s Since 2022
| Type | Balls | Runs | Wickets | Avg | SR | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pace | 7471 | 4530 | 172 | 26.33 | 43.4 | 3.63 |
| Spin | 1461 | 915 | 23 | 39.78 | 63.5 | 3.75 |
Clearly, teams with a powerful pace attack have a greater chance of succeeding at Lord’s — a huge plus for Australia, whose bowling unit thrives in such conditions.
The First Hour on Day 1 Could Set the Tone
One of the biggest takeaways from recent matches at Lord’s is the early advantage for teams bowling first. In the 2025 County Championship, three of the four matches at Lord’s resulted in victories for the side bowling first. In each case, they secured a significant first-innings lead — as high as 271 runs in one instance.
In the last six Tests at Lord’s, the average first-innings score is only 239, while teams batting second have averaged 314. The first session on Day 1 has also seen 22 wickets fall at an average of just 20.45, with a false-shot percentage of 26.7 — clearly indicating how challenging it can be to bat early on.
Related Read: South Africa’s Rise to the WTC Final 2025 – Full Journey →
Key Battle: Australia’s Batting vs South Africa’s Bowling
This final may ultimately boil down to Australia’s elite batting line-up versus South Africa’s impressive bowling depth. With Smith, Labuschagne, and Khawaja in form, and Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood thriving in pace-friendly conditions, Australia seem well-positioned.
Yet, South Africa’s aggressive pacers, led by Rabada and Ngidi, have the tools to cause damage — especially if they exploit the overhead conditions and first-session movement.
Experience, Form, and Conditions Favor Australia
While cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties, Australia’s superior experience, proven record at Lord’s, and familiarity with English conditions give them the edge heading into the WTC 2025 final. South Africa, with a talented but comparatively inexperienced side, will need to produce something extraordinary to script a historic triumph.
Read more on the ICC World Test Championship – Official Site →
