Ravi Shastri, the former head coach and cricket player for India, has advocated for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final to be held in larger venues in the future, such as the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad or the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Although Shastri agreed that England is a suitable location for the time being, he thinks the tournament will soon have the opportunity to reach a wider audience and make a bigger impact.

Speaking on the Wisden Cricket podcast, Shastri said, “To start off, it’s good if it’s here (Lord’s). Once it gets the popularity and attention it deserves, then it can start shifting. MCG can be a great place for a WTC Final. Ahmedabad can be a great place. Basically, venues where you can draw a crowd.”

All three editions of the WTC final so far have been held in England. The inaugural 2021 final between India and New Zealand took place at Southampton. The 2023 final between India and Australia was played at The Oval, and most recently, Lord’s hosted the 2025 final between Australia and South Africa.

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Shastri Urges ICC to Rotate WTC Final Venues, Cites Ahmedabad and MCG as Ideal Future Hosts

Despite none of the finals featuring England, the ECB has been consistent in delivering strong crowds and supporting the format. However, Shastri pointed out that Lord’s doesn’t have the capacity of 100,000-seat venues like Ahmedabad or the MCG, which could provide the WTC final with greater fanfare and visibility.

India had expressed interest in hosting the 2027 final, but the ICC awarded it to Lord’s again, favouring England’s support for neutral Tests. Reports also suggest that England could host the 2029 and 2031 finals as well.

Shastri believes it’s time for the ICC to consider rotating the WTC final, just like other global tournaments. “If Test cricket is to grow, especially in today’s era of packed T20 calendars, the final must feel like a grand event. Big crowds, big venues, that’s what it deserves.” For now, Lord’s remains the home of the WTC final. But voices like Shastri’s may soon push the ICC to think bigger.

BCCI's desire to host the final of the next edition's ICC World Test Championship Final (WTC Final) is all set to be rejected, and the hosting rights are likely to be held by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the latest media report suggested. 

During the ongoing WTC Final 2025, a fresh report has claimed that, like the first three editions of the tournament, the ECB will be the host to arrange the next three WTC finals as well. Official confirmation is yet to come, but verbally the cricket governing body of England reportedly got the confirmation from the International Cricket Council (ICC). According to the media reports, the ICC is expected to confirm England’s hosting rights at its annual conference scheduled for July. If ECB receives the hosting rights as mentioned in the reports, then it can be extended through to 2031.

England has already arranged three finals, including the ongoing one between Australia and South Africa. There can be various factors behind preferring England over any other cricket-playing nation to arrange the 'ultimate Test' in each edition. The cricket-loving crowd in England often gathers in large numbers to witness a high-voltage Test match. Even the ongoing match at Lord's sees a full house for the first three days. Cricket fans' enthusiasm in the UK about the longest format of the game, no matter which two teams are performing, is possibly a definite factor to fix England as the probable host of the final for three more upcoming editions. 

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Though, there can be different opinions also, like in the recent past. Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins questioned the venue for the final match. According to both Sharma and Cummins, the ICC should consider other countries too as the host of the WTC final. 

Rohit and Cummins raised questions before 

"It can be played any time of the year and anywhere in the world, not just in England," Rohit Sharma said. 

And, according to the Australia skipper, "It'd be nice if maybe the previous winner hosted that for the next time, or something like that." But as an alternative, I think having it at Lord's every cycle is also a pretty good place."

Bullseye! Captain Pat Cummins deposited the inswinger right on the stumps to dismiss any potential threat from Wiaan Mulder, the number three batter of the South African batting lineup. In Day 1 of the ongoing World Test Championship Final (WTC Final), it was mostly a bowling exhibition from both ends. 

Apart from the batting brilliance from Steve Smith and Beau Webster, a total of 14 scalps were dismissed at the Lord's under a cloudy sky. One of the best displays of bowling craftsmanship was when Pat Cummins brushed all timbers to dismiss the Protean. Mulder, beaten by the extra pace, completely misjudged the line and length on the second delivery of the sixteenth over, exposed, and Cummins took most of it—an important wicket. During the first innings, Cummins, who was bowled out by Kagiso Rabada, who took a fifer, replied by snatching the wicket of Mulder.

South Africa's bowling line-up, led by Kagiso Rabada, did well by restricting the power-packed Aussies to only 212. Temba Bavuma and his boys got the exact start they could have imagined in a final match against Australia. They only need to hold their nerves while batting and take a handsome lead to put more pressure on Australia. 

Read More: 'GOAT of Tests' - Fans react as Steve Smith scores half century in SA vs AUS WTC Final 2025

Team Australia always have a plan B

The team with the experience of playing multiple title decider matches and the defending champion of the World Test Championship always has a plan B in their pocket. If not with the bat, then crack with the ball, a team game—that's what Australians can do best when they find themselves balancing on a thin line. 

Mulder lost his wicket only for 6 after facing 44 deliveries. Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, and Ryan Rickelton all went back to the pavilion and left the matter on the captain Temba Bavuma's shoulder. 

Watch the moment when Cummins dismissed Mulder

Pat Cummins gets Mulder 🔥🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/uQDqA6ZVFn

— 𝙈𝘼𝙃𝙀𝙎𝙃 (@Maheshhh_18) June 11, 2025

South Africa stands on the brink of creating history as they look to breach the knockout jinx in a year that witnessed plenty of surprising winners across numerous sports. The last ICC trophy the Men in Green and Gold won was in 1998 when they defeated the West Indies during the inaugural Champions Trophy in Dhaka. Temba Bavuma, leading a South African side blended with youth and experience, has the opportunity to create history by getting his hands on the silverware that eluded the nation for 27 years. 

However, the road to victory is not easy, as the Aussies have been blowing hot in the format, standing in their way. The defending champions have played some fantastic matches and, unlike their upcoming opposition, fought tough battles against England, New Zealand, and India in the cycle. Although the Proteas had a much easier path to the main event, it is worth looking back at their best moments from the cycle. On that note let us look at top three wins for SA in 

See Also: WTC Final 2025, Australia vs South Africa: Live streaming, timing, venue and squad details

3. BAN vs SA, 2024 in Chattogram

In their last away tour during the ensuing WTC cycle, South Africa faced off against Bangladesh in a two-match Test series. After a close-fought first Test, the Proteas, in the absence of regular captain Bavuma, dominated the Asian side in the red-ball format. 

Batting first, a formidable start from Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi was followed by a couple of centuries. De Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs forged a 201-run second-wicket partnership, getting to their respective tons. The stylish left-handed batter went on to rack up 177 runs, his highest in Tests, before Wiaan Mulder made the most out of the batting haven at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury  Stadium, Chattogram. A couple of fifties from David Bedingham and Senuran Muthuswamy only added to the Bangladesh woes as the visitors piled up 575 runs for the loss of six wickets and declared.

In reply, the hosts felt the pressure of a hefty total as eight of their batters departed for single-digit scores in their first innings. Mominul Haque's 82 steered them to 159 runs before a follow-on was enforced. The pattern followed as Bangladesh were folded for 143 runs, losing by an innings and 273 runs. Kagiso Rabada picked up a fifer in Bangladesh's first innings while Keshav Maharaj's fifer and Senuran Muthuswamy's four-fer dwarfed the home side in their second innings.

2. SA vs PAK, 2025 in Centurion

Eyeing to lock their seats in the WTC final, South Africa welcomed Pakistan for a two-match Test series during Christmas of 2024. It kicked off with the Boxing Day Test at the SuperSport Park, Centurion where Pakistan batters felt the heat from Dane Paterson's consistent line and Corbin Bosch's uneven bounce. They were bundled for 211 runs before Aiden Markram's 89 and Bosch's unbridled 81 with 15 fours helped them get 301 runs.

Although Saim Ayub and Shan Masood showed grit at the start of the third innings, they failed to convert. Nevertheless, fifties from Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel propelled them to 237 runs total, but Marco Jansen's six-fer stole the spotlight in bowling-friendly conditions. While the target of 150 runs might seem easy on paper, the relatively young South African batting was not known for great batting in the fourth innings. They lost eight wickets in the process, only for Rabada and Jansen to pull them out of a precarious situation. They lost eight wickets for 99 runs before the left-handed and right-handed duo steered them home with a mix of caution and aggression.

1. SA vs IND, 2024 in Centurion

When South Africa kicked off their 2023-2025 WTC campaign, the Bavuma-led unit squared up against a robust Indian lineup that featured the likes of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja among others. While Rahul's valiant 101 jabbed their first innings total to 245 runs, Dean Elgar's gritty 185 overshadowed the visitors, and fifties from Bedingham and Jansen only rubbed salt into injuries.

Trailing by 163 runs, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit, the openers, faltered before Shubman Gill and Kohli consolidated a brief partnership. The pace trio of Nandre Burger, Jansen, and Rabada were too hot to handle for the visiting side as Kohli stood fighting at one end with wickets falling from the other. Nine of the Indian batters perished in single-digit scores, but it was Kohli's 76 that the Indian fans relied on. However, in a team game like cricket, it was an impossible task for the stalwart to do the unthinkable without much assistance. Eventually, South Africa won by an innings and 32 runs as India was bundled for 131 runs in their second innings. This marked a strong start for South Africa, and one of the best in the ensuing WTC cycle.  

The stage is ready at the iconic Lord's to host the World Test Championship Final (WTC Final) between Australia and South Africa from June 11 (tomorrow). Both of the sides will field their possible best playing XI with one goal: win the trophy. Pat Cummins's led Australia will step into Lord's to defend their title, and South Africa will be there to win their maiden WTC trophy. As the match will be in England, where the weather is famous for uncertainty, fans are curious to know what will happen if rain plays spoilsport. But first, let's know about the weather forecast from June 11 to June 15. 

Weather forecast:

June 11: The weather will remain a little bit warm, with very few chances of rain during the daytime. Mostly, a partly cloudy sky is expected.

June 12: Chances of rain can be higher than the previous day. Most of the sky will be covered with clouds.

June 13: Chances of rain can increase before afternoon. Partly cloudy sky in the morning and daytime. 

June 14: Chances of rain will be very limited on this day. Clouds will be there, but no forecast for rain as of now. 

June 15: No rain alert. Good warm day for a final. 

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What will happen if the Australia vs. South Africa WTC final is washed out or ends in a draw?

According to the rules, if the match ends with a draw, then both of the finalists will have to share the trophy. 

AUS vs SA ICC WTC Final Squads

South Africa squad: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, and Senuran Muthusamy.

Australia squad: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann. Traveling reserve: Brendan Doggett.

The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final will be hosted in England for the third time in a row when the defending champions, Australia, meet South Africa at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground on June 11. While the finals have been held at Southampton (2021) and The Oval (2023) before this, now there is a question mark hovering over England's monopoly of the hosting rights.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins has proposed a revitalizing concept, with the winner of the last edition hosting the next final. "It'd be nice, perhaps the last winner hosts that for the next time. But as a backup plan, I feel having it at Lord's every cycle is also a pretty good place," Cummins told India Today in an interview.

Cummins' statements are in line with the recent indications of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) being interested in hosting the final of the 2027 WTC. In a recent ICC meeting in Zimbabwe, the BCCI is said to have indicated its willingness to bid for the prestigious event. Having Jay Shah at the top of the ICC hierarchy now has improved India's chances of acquiring hosting rights immensely.

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Australia Aim for Back-to-Back Titles as Cummins Calls for Hosting Reform

Australia, meanwhile, is chasing history. After beating India by 209 runs in the 2023 final, Cummins’ men are aiming to become the first team to win two WTC titles. Their journey to this year’s final included strong series wins over both India and Sri Lanka.

Even though he enjoys the WTC mace, Cummins remains to put Australia's 2023 ODI World Cup triumph at number one. "The ODI World Cup of 2023 will be tough to surpass. But I think the WTC mace is just second to that in significance," he added.

As more voices urge a WTC final venue rotation and ensuring equity, Cummins' proposal to allocate hosting to the last season's winner is one towards more international representation in the red-ball format. That remains to be seen, but at least the debate has started.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has brought the promo for the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final, where the top two table toppers, South Africa and Australia, will face each other from June 11 at Lord's in London.

In the video, Australian and South African players have been captured in the focus-looking ahead of the third ICC World Test Championship Final, while the Championship . It will be the first World Test Championship Final for South Africa, and they are facing the defending champions Australia, who are eyeing their second WTC title. 

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2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final: South Africa eyeing their first ICC trophy after more than 26 years

South Africa men's national cricket team has only one ICC trophy, which is the ICC Champions Trophy 1998 title. They are waiting for about 27 years to win another ICC title, while their closest one in this period was the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2025 runners-up. Now, the 2023-2025 ICC World Championship points table leader have the great chance to end their long and frustrating wait for their second ICC trophy. 

2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final: Australia are ready to defend

Meanwhile, Australia won the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championship Mace after beating India in the Final. It was their first ICC WTC trophy, as they became the first team to win all four ICC trophies. 

Before Australia, New Zealand became the first team to win the ICC WTC title after winning the inaugural ICC WTC Final (2019-2021 edition) by beating India. 

Two teams. One dream 👑

South Africa and Australia are ready to carve their names in Lord’s history 🤩#Cricket #CricketReels #WTC25 pic.twitter.com/FgeID10JXv

— ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2025

During the league stage of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, South Africa earned 100 points after 12 Tests (PCT 69.44%) with eight wins, one draw, and three losses, and the second-placed Australia secured 154 points after 19 Tests (PCT 67.54%) with 13 wins, two draws, and four losses. 

Australia's preparation for the next World Test Championship (WTC) Final is at full throttle, with the limelight shining on senior pacer Josh Hazlewood. The game, to be contested at the legendary Lord's Cricket Ground, will pit Australia against South Africa. Hazlewood, who has been in breathtaking form of late, will be one of the major stalwarts to look out for, considering his bravado in the just-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 34-year-old pace bowler was a star performer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to guide the team to its first-ever IPL trophy. With 22 wickets from only 12 matches at a respectable average of 17.54, Hazlewood was the top wicket-taker for his team and third overall in the tournament. This earned him the nickname of being 'HazleGod' by Indian fans—a title that has gone viral on social media.

In spite of the admiration, Hazlewood is humble about the new nickname. In a video posted on the ICC's Instagram, he confided that he found the nickname flattering but had his doubts about its catching on in his native country. “Yeah, hopefully, it runs out of steam pretty quickly. It's flattering, obviously, to hear it around the grounds in India, but I don't think it'll take off in Australia, he remarked with a grin.

Reactions from Teammates and Fans

Australian colleagues Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon also added to Hazlewood's new nickname. Starc, having a good chuckle about the name, hoped it stuck and complimented Hazlewood's phenomenal form and contribution in the IPL. He was looking forward to seeing his pace colleague contribute the same vigor and talent to the final at Lord's.

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Nathan Lyon, however, had a lighter perspective to offer. In his account, Hazlewood had even begun calling himself 'HazleGod,' a development that had left the off-spinner totally bewildered. Lyon accepted Hazlewood's monopolistic dominance of India and teased that the nickname could well be with us for a long time.

South Africa is in hope to witness a new sun in the morning sky after the conclusion of the World Test Championship final (WTC Final), which they are set to play against Australia from June 11 at Lord's, England. Former South Africa batter and coach Mark Boucher believes that this South Africa team has the capability to start a new chapter in Test cricket. 

In ICC tournaments, South Africa always possessed threats to their competitors, but, unfortunately, they never came in first place to win any major ICC title. In the recent past, South Africa fell short against India in the ICC T20I World Cup final. Due to repeated failures in ICC events, the team attracted the label 'chokers.' Boucher has a strong belief that his team can break the jinx and can start a new dawn in the longest format of Test cricket. The former cricketer wants to win the WTC title for his country so that a huge number of people can feel more attraction towards the 5-day format. 

Before the final starts, a lot of people have started to bet on Australia because of South Africa's series of heartbreaks in the past. Reflecting on the matter, Mark thinks that they have reached the final because they defeated a number of strong oppositions and gained an ample amount of confidence to win the final match as well. 

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Boucher wants to keep his attitude positive 

"A lot of people have criticized South Africa, which is not really fair. You play what's in front of you, and with all due respect, the sides that we've played against, we probably should have beaten, and we've done that. So we find ourselves in a final. But I wouldn't say that it has got the crowds going in our country,” Boucher said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"Everyone's very excited about it now. As the opportunity arises, a lot of people are going to travel over to London, spend all their rands, and go watch what should be a good match. If we win it, I think then that could be the turnaround for Test cricket in our country," he added.

The countdown for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final clash draws to a close as South Africa and Australia gear up for a mouthwatering showdown at the Lord's Cricket Ground on June 11. While Australia have already made it to the WTF final once, for South Africa, it remains an unfamiliar territory. 

However, South Africa's chances of triumphing in the summit clash have been bolstered following the inclusion of Stuart Broad, who will act as a bowling consultant for the Proteas. Broad will take part in South Africa's preparatory work starting from June 9, just prior to the kick-off of the WTC Final. This will also be his first coaching assignment since his international retirement in 2023.

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Broad's experience holds key to SA's success 

The legendary English seamer has a wealth of experience in red-ball cricket, a format in which he thrived the most. Across 164 Test outings, Broad emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker for England in red-ball cricket with 604 scalps under his kitty. The legendary paceman trails marginally behind his own teammate, Jimmy Anderson. 

During his prime days, Broad used to be a thorn in the side of the Australian team. He went on to bag 153 wickets against the Aussies, the most by any player in Test cricket history. Besides, he has also claimed over 100 Test scalps at Lord's as well, making him one of the most revered bowling personalities in international cricket. 

Broad's expertise will prove vital for the South African team as he has first-hand experience in operating under these conditions. Under his guidance, South Africa can benefit the most and would have high hopes of dethroning Australia in the upcoming WTC final.