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.

ALSO SEE: Asia Cup dates revealed: Tournament set to begin soon

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.

A stunning catch in the slip cordon or in the gully can change the whole complexion of a match. Especially when the ball moves a lot, batsmen find it difficult to connect it in the middle of the willow. To trap the batters, teams often post fielders in the slips or in the gully or in both positions at the same time.

Fielding in these positions is considered some of the toughest tasks for fielders to accomplish. A few selected players from a playing XI can be spotted in those crucial spots.

In recent times, India's fielding was pretty sloppy against England in Headingley during the 1st of the ongoing 5-Test series. Because of multiple dropped catches, England's batters got extra lifelines on numerous occasions. 6,770 kilometers away from England, in Barbados, the West Indies faced a similar problem against their first of 3-match Test series against Australia.

Read More: Latest WTC points table after Australia beat West Indies: Where does India stand?

Multiple drop catches put effect on matches

Despite bowling with grace, especially in the first innings, multiple drop catches turned out to be crucial as the former World Test Champion side defeated the host team. In modern cricket, outside the field, there are always discussions about various parameters and stats.

Drop catches are also registered in the stat book. In a recently published stat report, cricket fans came to know about the catch efficiency in Tests at Slips and Gully since 2023. Through this article, we'll discover the numbers. 

Full list of catch efficiency in Tests at Slips and Gully since 2023

Out of the top 9 teams, 6 have already started their campaign in the new cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC 2025-27). June 28 (Saturday), morning started with two surprising results from two iconic cricket grounds. Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by an innings in Colombo, and in Barbados, after a neck-to-neck fight, the West Indies surprisingly surrendered against Australia. New Zealand, South Africa, and Pakistan have yet to take part in their first matches under the new WTC circle. With some initial match results, the WTC points table has started to take shape. 

Australia currently leads the points table after their authoritative win against the West Indies. On June 28, they thrashed the host team by 159 runs. Both the teams will play another 2 matches in the 3-match Test series. 

England, the second team of the WTC 2025-27 points table after getting a heroic win against the newly shaped team India. England won the Headingley Test, chasing 371 runs. In comparison with the points and the Points Percentage System, Australia and England have barely any gap between them. 

Read More: SL vs BAN 2nd Test: Key moments and Full match highlights

A couple of ongoing series can change the equation 

After the retirement of the legend Angelo Mathews from Tests, Sri Lanka gifted Bangladesh a bag full of humiliation through an innings and 78 runs result. The two-match series was started with a draw followed by Sri Lanka's one-sided win. 

India and the West Indies have yet to get their first win in this circle of the WTC. India is currently in England for a 5-match tour with their new captain, Shubman Gill, and lost in the first match of the series. On the other side, the West Indies, led by Roston Chase, defeated Australia by miles. Chase and Co. will play another 2 games with the Aussies before the conclusion of the series. And South Africa, the winner of WTC 2025, is all set to take on Zimbabwe. 

WTC 2025-27 points table:

1. Australia—1 match and 12 points, 100.00 Points Percentage System (PCT)

2. England—1 match and 12 points, 100.00 PCT

3. Sri Lanka—2 matches and 16 points, 66.67 PCT 

4. Bangladesh—2 matches and 4 points, 16.67 PCT 

5. India—1 match and 0 points, 0.00 PCT 

6. West Indies—1 match and 0 points, 0.00 PCT 

7. New Zealand—Yet to play 

8. Pakistan—Yet to play 

9. South Africa—Yet to play

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has updated the playing conditions for T20 Internationals, specifically focusing on powerplay overs in shortened matches. Instead of using rounded-off figures, the new regulation specifies exact powerplay durations based on the number of overs in an innings. For example, an eight-over innings will now have a 2.2-over powerplay, with only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle during this phase. This move introduces greater accuracy and consistency in reduced-overs games.

Under the revised rules, powerplay lengths will now vary more precisely depending on innings length. In a six-over match, the powerplay would be no more than 1.5 overs of powerplay, in a seven-over innings, 2.1 overs would be the amount of powerplay, and in a nine-over game would have 2.4 overs of powerplay. These amendments illustrate the ICC's desire to improve fairness and structure in rain-affected or heavily shortened T20I matches, and to help achieve a balance between bat and ball under shorter matches.

See Also: WI vs AUS: West Indies coach meets match referee Javagal Srinath over umpiring controversy in ongoing first Test between West Indies and Australia

Number of Powerplay overs as per new rule:

5 overs: 1.3 overs | 6 overs: 1.5 overs | 7 overs: 2.1 overs |
8 overs: 2.2 overs | 9 overs: 2.4 overs |10 overs: 3.0 overs |
11 overs: 3.2 overs |12 overs: 3.4 overs | 13 overs: 3.5 overs |
14 overs: 4.1 overs |15 overs: 4.3 overs |16 overs: 4.5 overs

These new regulations will be implemented starting in July, aiming to ensure consistency and fairness in playing conditions, regardless of the length of a shortened match.

ICC also makes changes in playing conditions

The ICC has announced several changes to playing conditions across formats, according to ESPN Cricinfo. In ODIs, only one ball will be used from the 35th over onwards. The use of saliva remains banned, and if a team is found deliberately applying it, umpires will not replace the ball. Instead, five penalty runs will be awarded to the batting side. The ball can only be changed if its condition has significantly altered. Additionally, a stop-clock rule has been introduced in Test cricket to reduce time delays between overs.

Under the new stop-clock rule, the fielding team must be ready to begin a new over within 60 seconds of the previous one ending. Two warnings will be issued by the umpires for delays, and any repeated offense after that will result in a five-run penalty. These warnings will reset after every 80 overs. The rule has been effective from the start of the 2025–27 WTC cycle. Also, if the batting team takes a short run deliberately, they’ll face a five-run penalty. Fielding teams can now also choose which batter they want to face the next ball.

Australia’s batting unit is set for a shake-up following their defeat to South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s, with Marnus Labuschagne’s place under serious threat and Usman Khawaja likely to retain his spot heading into the Ashes later this year.

Head coach Andrew McDonald and the selectors are expected to decide within the next 48 hours whether reinforcements are needed for the upcoming three-Test series in the West Indies. A major talking point is the possible return of 19-year-old Sam Konstas at the top of the order, with Labuschagne’s underwhelming form adding weight to the call for change.

Labuschagne, who was elevated to open for the first time in his Test career at Lord’s, managed only 17 and 22 in the two innings, capping off a disappointing WTC cycle in which he averaged just 27.82. The move was made to accommodate Cameron Green at No. 3, but with Steven Smith nursing a finger injury, Labuschagne may still retain his place, though even that seems far from guaranteed.

"He's missed out on big scores," McDonald said after the final. “We’re confident he can return to his best, and that’s why we keep picking him. But at what point do we stop picking him?” Despite the underwhelming returns, McDonald stressed that Labuschagne remains a key part of Australia's long-term plans. "Anyone who averages 45 or 46 in Test cricket at that age is important. He’s had a positive week in terms of preparation, no harder worker than Marnus, but now it’s really just about the returns."

ALSO SEE: ENG vs IND: Robin Uthappa shares his predicted playing XI ahead of series

Selectors Show Faith in Khawaja, but Labuschagne’s Test Future Hangs in the Balance Ahead of West Indies Tour

In contrast, Khawaja, despite falling cheaply twice to Kagiso Rabada at Lord’s, has earned the selectors’ backing. The veteran opener, who scored a career-best 232 against Sri Lanka just three Tests ago, appears to have the kind of stability and experience the team values, even amid questions around his effectiveness against pace.

“He’s on contract, he’s an important player,” McDonald reiterated. “We like to look at our players at their best… I don’t see an end date for him. He’s still moving well, still training hard, and has runs left in him.” Khawaja is expected to get the same long rope David Warner received during the twilight of his Test career.

Meanwhile, the squad could also see some reshuffling depending on conditions in the Caribbean. Josh Inglis, who scored a hundred on debut, could be considered in spin-friendly situations, while Travis Head may again be viewed as a potential opener on slower surfaces. However, McDonald was quick to emphasise that Australia would look to strike a balance between future planning for the Ashes and adapting to local conditions in the West Indies.

“We haven’t played a Test there since 2015,” he said. “So there’s a little bit of the unknown. But we feel we’ve got a squad that can cover all bases.” Despite the batting concerns, McDonald made it clear that Australia’s shortcomings at Lord’s were not restricted to the top order. “We lost 5 for 20 in the first innings and 7 wickets for not many in the second. That’s 12 wickets for not much. We’re better than that.”

As Australia prepares to begin a new WTC cycle in the Caribbean, all eyes will be on how the selectors respond to the latest setback and whether this marks the beginning of a transitional phase in the batting order.

Kagiso Rabada has broken multiple records with a five-wicket haul against Australia in the World Test Championship finale at the iconic Lord’s. The South African international started the day with back-to-back wickets of Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green. Towards the end of the first innings, Rabada dismissed Beau Webster, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc to complete his five-wicket haul, and with that, he cemented his spot in the Lord’s honours board.

Rabada surpasses Allan Donald in elite list

With a five-wicket haul, Rabada now stands fourth on the list of most wickets by a South African international in Test cricket history. He surpassed Allan Doland on the list. After the innings, Rabada spoke on the achievement, stating that the records are good, but his primary job is to keep running and bowl well for the team.

“That's all secondary (climbing the wicket-takers list for SA). The primary is to keep running in and doing the job. Means a lot to get past Allan Donald, what a legend,” Rabada said.

Most wickets for South Africa in Tests:

ALSO SEE: WATCH: AB de Villiers appreciates heartfelt gesture from Marnus Labuschagne

Rabada equalled Jasprit Bumrah’s record in WTC history

With the five-wicket haul, Rabada now equalled Jasprit Bumrah’s record of most wickets in WTC history. Both the modern-day legends have 156 wickets to their name in the competition. Nathan Lyon tops the charts with 210 wickets, while Pat Cummins, R Ashwin, and Mitchell Starc stand second, third, and fourth with 200, 195, and 171 scalps to their name, respectively.

Most wickets in WTC history:

Fans reaction on X(Twitter):

this is greatness, this is kagiso rabada 🐐💪❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/e3E44QQUYg

— rishi (@rishi__w) June 11, 2025

Two more and we're on the honours board!

The Great Kagiso Rabada
🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/OvLiUFQa52

— Jay Mngomezulu (@Jay_Mzulu) June 11, 2025

Kagiso Rabada

with cocaine without cocaine pic.twitter.com/B0Q8u2PSb2

— Avani Gupta (@cricketizlife) June 11, 2025

Khao, pio aur agay barho!

The story of Kagiso Rabada today 🔥#WTC25 #Rabada pic.twitter.com/gyyEiqffCD

— Ameer Hamza Asif (@AmeerHamzaAsif) June 11, 2025

She was right when she said “we have Kagiso Rabada” pic.twitter.com/ywu4Esn4Ml

— Saebeee… (@think___strong) June 11, 2025

Great spell from Kagiso Rabada 👏 #WTC2O25Final pic.twitter.com/NyP4djiSME

— Crazy Cricket Memes (@CrazyCricMemes) June 11, 2025

When the lights are brightest,
Pressure is highest,
Crowds are the loudest,
The best will arrive,
The strongest will survive,
The greatest will thrive,

The Kagiso Rabada,
Man of big matches! pic.twitter.com/Foe5hNjGzE

— Dhruv (@I_m_dhruv_) June 11, 2025

Kagiso Rabada is inevitable 🔥 🔥 🔥 🇿🇦 🏏 pic.twitter.com/yfKEoP1xhr

— UtianⒼ (@UtianG) June 11, 2025

No hype like Starc and Cummins
Not aggressive like Siraj
No Football tag like Boult

That's KAGISO RABADA for you! pic.twitter.com/92vivPhGwk

— Parv 🇿🇦 (@ParvCryEmoji) June 11, 2025

[YOU BEAUTY] Kagiso Rabada rips through the lineup with a brilliant fifer on the biggest stage! 💪🇿🇦

VISIT https://t.co/yD3iLtfZ3U and Follow us on X @DameConcepts_SA Sports 🏏 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Q4RejcPoUz

— DameConcepts Sports Agency (@DameConcepts_SA) June 11, 2025

SA vs AUS Match Preview:

The most-awaited World Test Championship final is scheduled to be played between South Africa and Australia. The match will be hosted by iconic Lords London between June 11 to June 15, and the match will start at IST 3:00 PM onwards. The Aussies once again dominated this WTC cycle with their formidable pace attack, while SA tops the charts with their all-around performance.

During this cycle, Australia also clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against India with a 3-1 victory. Australia will aim to give their best to defend the WTC title, while the Proteas will be eager to win their first ICC trophy. Both teams have a good mix of young and experienced players; however, Australia holds a slight edge in terms of experience. Moreover, the Australian team is more familiar with conditions at Lord's. 

Read: ICC WTC Final 2025: Former World Cup winner predicts his favourite in AUS vs SA clash

SA vs AUS Match Details:

• Match: SA vs AUS WTC Final 
• Date: 11 June 2025
• Time: 03:00 PM IST
• Venue: Lord's Cricket Ground, London, England
• Live Streaming: JioHotstar

SA vs AUS Head-to-Head Stats:

Pitch & Weather Report:

SA vs AUS Probable Playing11:

South Africa (SA) Probable XI:

1. Ryan Rickelton(WK), 2. David Bedingham, 3. Aiden Markram, 4. Temba Bavuma(C), 5. Kyle Verreynne(WK), 6. Tristan Stubbs, 7. Wiaan Mulder, 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Lungi Ngidi

Australia (AUS) Probable XI:

1. Travis Head, 2. Usman Khawaja, 3. Steven Smith, 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Alex Carey(WK), 6. Cameron Green, 7. Beau Webster, 8. Pat Cummins(C), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood

SA vs AUS Dream11 Top Picks:

Player Insights:

• Temba Bavuma (SA) is the top run scorer during this WTC cycle. The Proteas skipper aggregates 609 runs in 11 innings at an average of 60.91. He will be a key player in this mega event.
• Kagiso Rabada (SA) took 47 wickets in 20 innings during this cycle. He is the highest wicket-taker. He can pose a tough battle against Austrian batters.  
• Steven Smith (AUS) is one of the greatest batsmen of this era. He is a proven match-winner in this format. He smashed two centuries during BGT, and he will be eager to deliver in this WTC final.
• Pat Cummins (AUS) scored 517 runs and took 73 wickets in 17 matches during the WTC 2023-25 cycle. His outstanding stats and recent performance against India in BGT are clear indicators of how lethal he has become for SA batters.  

SA vs AUS Dream11 Team:

Captain & Vice-Captain Choices

• Best Captain Picks: Steven Smith, Pat Cummins
• Best Vice-Captain Picks: Kagiso Rabada, Josh Hazlewood

Probable Winners:

Australia (AUS) is expected to win this match with the inclusion of Cameron Green and  Josh Hazlewood, who were previously injured during BGT. The Australian team now appears more balanced and solid. Moreover, they have a formidable pace attack. However, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada remain significant threats.

Predicted Winner: Australia (AUS).

As South Africa and Australia prepare to play each other in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final at Lord's for the top Test cricket prize, all eyes will be on them. Nonetheless, several players on both teams stand to make significant personal accomplishments during the competition for dominance, some of which will shape their careers. Here are five noteworthy achievements that could take place in this eagerly awaited conclusion.

1. In Test cricket, Pat Cummins needs just six more wickets to reach 300.

Australian captain Pat Cummins is only six wickets away from reaching the coveted 300-Test wicket mark, which puts bowlers in elite company. If he achieves it during the WTC Final, he will become only the sixth Australian to enter the 300-wicket club, joining the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Dennis Lillee.

Popular for his tireless accuracy and match-winning spells, Cummins has been the figurehead of Australia's Test revival over the last few years. To achieve this milestone as captain in a world final would be an incredible declaration of his leadership and durability in red-ball cricket.

2. Keshav Maharaj Sets Sights on Historic 200-Wicket Milestone

South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj is just two wickets away from becoming the first spinner in South Africa’s history to take 200 Test wickets. In a nation dominated by world-class fast bowlers, Maharaj has quietly built an outstanding record over the years, often carrying the spin department single-handedly.

If he reaches the 200-mark at Lord’s, it would be a landmark not just for him, but for the broader story of South African spin bowling. It's a recognition of sustained excellence in conditions that rarely favour his craft.

3. Kagiso Rabada Set to Overtake Allan Donald

Kagiso Rabada needs just four wickets to move past Allan Donald’s career tally of 330 Test wickets, making him South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test history. Rabada has been the Proteas' go-to striker for almost ten years because of his quickness, aggression, and ability to hit at key times.

It would be a symbolic passing of the torch to surpass South African cricket legend Donald in the WTC Final. Additionally, it would confirm Rabada's place among the best fast bowlers of the modern era.

ALSO SEE: Nehal Wadhera takes the blame for PBKS defeat in IPL final, reveals what went wrong

4. Hazlewood, Starc, Smith, and Cummins Pursuing Ponting's ICC Record

Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Steve Smith have already established an impressive ICC legacy. With wins in the 2021–23 WTC Final, the 2023 ODI World Cup, and the 2024 T20 World Cup, the quartet now has three ICC titles each.

That puts them just one short of Ricky Ponting’s record of four ICC trophies as a player, which includes the 1999, 2003, and 2007 World Cups, and the 2006 Champions Trophy. Victory at Lord’s would allow this golden generation to match Ponting’s all-time tally, placing them among the most decorated players in Australian cricket history.

5. Alex Carey Nearing 1,000 Runs in Current WTC Cycle

Often flying under the radar, Australia’s wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey is on the verge of a solid individual achievement; he needs just 46 more runs to reach 1,000 runs in the 2023–25 WTC cycle. For a middle-order hitter who frequently enters the game when pressure is applied, that would be a noteworthy indication of consistency.

Carey's achievement in the final will demonstrate not only his quiet dependability but also his development into a reliable batsman and glover in Australia's Test setup.

Other Records Which Could Be Broken In SA vs AUS WTC Final 2025

• Usman Khawaja needs 70 runs to complete 6000 Test runs.
• Marnus Labuschagne needs 104 runs to complete 4500 Test runs.
• Labuschagne also requires 10 fours to achieve 500 Test fours.
• Mitchell Starc requires 1 six to achieve 50 sixes in Tests.
• Pat Cummins requires 46 runs to achieve 1500 runs and 6 fours to achieve 150 fours.
• Aiden Markram is 143 runs away from 3000 Test runs.
• Tristan Stubbs requires 8 fours to achieve 50 in Tests.

With two top teams, a historic location, and the ultimate Test cricket prize, the WTC 2025 Final is already brimming with storyline.  These individual achievements, however, add additional levels of significance and legacy. Whether Rabada passes Donald, Maharaj spins his way into the record books, Cummins joins the 300-club, or the Australian quartet approaches ICC immortality, every ball at Lord's could have historical significance. It's more than just a final.  Legends of cricket have the opportunity to leave their mark on the lengthy history of the game.

The 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final is upon us as South Africa and Australia gear up to lock horns against one another at the iconic Lord’s, London, starting June 11, 2025. The Proteas, under the captaincy of Temba Bavuma, topped the charts with 69.44 percentage points while the defending champions gained 67.54 percentage points without even losing a series. 

The two-year cycle has seen a plethora of scintillating matches between numerous oppositions, with some of the arch-rival nations fueling the contests to a greater extent. It doesn’t happen without noticeable performances from the cricketers, who are the heart and soul of this entire game. There have been numerous batting performances that have often left the spectators in awe. Although it’s a tough job to filter out the best, we at Cricket Winner have analysed to the best of our ability and came up with the top five knocks in the WTC 2023-25 cycle.

Ollie Pope’s 196 vs India in Hyderabad

England’s tour to India in the early 2024 edition was worth the hype as the Men in Blue looked to face off against an England unit that changed the style of Test cricket. The focus was on Bazball’s domination in world cricket, with the Indian subcontinent being one of the dynasties left unconquered. Although the English revolution under the coach-captain duo of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes failed in one of their toughest challenges, Ollie Pope’s 196 in the first Test in Hyderabad gave the visitors an upper hand at the start of the five-match series.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, England's batting order felt the heat produced by Jasprit Bumrah and the spin triumvirate of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, folding for 246 runs. In reply, India earned a 174-run lead on the back of eighties from Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Jadeja. Despite being on the back foot halfway through the innings, Ollie Pope showcased what he is capable of with the willow. 

Stepping foot in unfamiliar territory, the right-handed batter smashed 196 runs off 278 balls in the third innings of the match. To be able to battle the Indian spinners at their home is an uphill task. But Pope proved why he is rated so highly in England. All it took was a special smearing yorker from Bumrah to rattle his stumps, leaving four runs shy of a double century. Without an iota of doubt, this had to be Pope’s best innings away from home. His 196 led the foundation for a 28-run victory, albeit England failed to capitalise on the start, losing the series 4-1.

Also Read: 'If we win it...' - Former Proteas star reveal what Test championship glory would mean for South Africa

Marnus Labuschagne’s 111 vs England in Manchester

Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne didn’t quite have a great start to the year 2023. He was left out of Australia’s Cricket World Cup squad, only to return as a replacement to injured Ashton Agar and play a pivotal role in the final against India. Previously, he was also under the radar after a series of poor outings with the bat in the Ashes. 

For someone who followed Marnus’ career graph, he is known to silence the doubters with his performances whenever required. This is exactly what happened during the fourth Test of the Ashes at Old Trafford, Manchester.

After securing a fifty with Mitchell Marsh and propelling Australia to 317 in the first innings, Zak Crawley’s 189 and England’s middle-order prowess left the visitors trailing by 275 runs. This was when Labuschagne stood tall after the visitors lost the wickets of Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith, and Travis Head in quick time. On a start-stop fourth day due to incessant showers, Labuschagne’s grit was on full display. He was scratchy at the start but ensured to overcome adversity and stand tall with 111 runs off 173 balls with ten fours and a couple of sixes. Although the match ended in a draw, Labuschagne played one of his best knocks in an away Ashes under difficult conditions, rubbishing the critics.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 161 vs Australia in Perth

India stepped onto the Australian shores on the back of a record whitewash at home by a New Zealand blended with youth and experience. With their World Test Championship chances jeopardised and captain Rohit Sharma absent due to paternal leave for the opening Test, they needed someone to stand up with the bat in Perth. Known for its pace and steep bounce, the venue is known to be one of the graveyards for the batters, who often test their skills and mental ability. 

Stepping foot for the first time as a capped cricketer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was dismissed for a duck in the first innings, bounced back in the second innings in his trademark style. Known for his hunger for runs, Jaiswal went on to notch up his maiden century down under, scoring 161 off 297 balls. He was well accompanied by KL Rahul’s 77 and Virat Kohli’s unbridled century, setting up India’s 295-run victory to go 1-0 up in the five-match series.

Harry Brook’s 171 in Christchurch

Arriving on the shores of New Zealand for a three-match Test series, England were oozing in confidence as BazBall yielded positive results across conditions. What looked like a tough test at the start turned out to be a cakewalk for the Three Lions as the Kiwis could only win the dead rubber. However, the convincing series triumph was set up by an extraordinary display of batting from Harry Brook.

Touted as the next big thing from English cricket, Brook arrived at the crease when the team was reeling at 45/3 in their first innings. Trailing by 303 runs, England incurred another setback when a well-set Ben Duckett departed for 46. Under gloomy conditions, strong breeze, and the ball laterally moving, Brook held his fort with grit. After a tough phase of play that saw him get two catching reprieves, Brook converted his steady fifty into a century, and went on to muster 171 runs off 197 balls. Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes’ fifties assisted his well-tailored knock that helped England reach 499 runs, setting up a comprehensive win by eight wickets. 

Before this, Brook was well-known for his heroics at home. But the New Zealand tour saw the first of the young bloke dominate a SINA (South Africa, India, New Zealand, and Australia as a whole) opposition.

KL Rahul’s 101 vs South Africa in Centurion

Not many cricketers get to create history by racking up a Boxing Day century. The day after Christmas is also renowned as the start of the Boxing Day Tests in Australia, South Africa, and a few other nations. It marks a special occasion where, back in old school cricket, rich guests used to offer gifts to the middle and lower-middle class. Although it has little to do with the Test cricket matches now, the tradition has often led to a jam-packed crowd and unreal anticipation for the game. This is when Rahul’s 101 under adverse conditions at Centurion came up for India in 2023.

Trying to make a mark in the first of the two-match Test series, India lost their top three early in the innings before Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s brief stay was put to rest by Kagiso Rabada. With India 121/6 in the second session, Rahul took his time to settle but didn’t hesitate to punish the looseners. Playing with the lower order, he quickly moved to fifty under overcast conditions. 

Donning his new role as a make-shift wicketkeeper and batting at No. 6, clarity was written across his face while playing the strokes against the viscous Proteas bowlers at their den. Following Shardul Thakur and Jasprit Bumrah’s departures, he forged a 47-run ninth-wicket partnership with Mohammed Siraj, where the latter contributed only five runs. Soon after, the Karnataka star switched gears and smoked a few boundaries to push the opposition on the back, and get to his second Test century at the venue. 

Although Nandre Burger knocked his stumps in the 68th over, Rahul’s 101 was a testament to the orthodox batting skills, grit, and game awareness that the red-ball format demands. Though India were doused by Dean Elgar’s batting brilliance in the match, Rahul’s 101 as the lone warrior of the team deserved applause from the cricket pundits and the fans.

Honourable mention: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 114 vs Australia at the MCG in 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy.

After a power-packed schedule that featured the 2025 Champions Trophy, followed by the Indian Premier League (IPL) and various other white-ball competitions, the attention now shifts to the red-ball format. The English summer has started to peak with the start of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final before India's tour to England for a five-match series. 

Both WTC finalists have played dominating cricket during the two-year tenure of the competition, securing the top two spots in the points table. While the Aussies are the defending champions, the Proteas have reached this stage for the first time in three years of the Championship. The Aussies are well aware of the nerve factor in such major events, having earned the reputation of a grand slam champion in cricket history. With the current cycle concluding with this grand encounter, let us explore the top three incidents of Aussie domination in the current cycle.

See Also: WTC champions should get to host the final of the following edition: Pat Cummins

3. AUS vs ENG, 2023 at Lord's

After a morale-boosting triumph in the opener of the 2023 Ashes, the Pat Cummins-led unit posted a first innings total of 416 runs on the back of Steve Smith's 110. Travis Head's 77 and David Warner's 66 were pivotal in helping the visitors get to a formidable first innings total. In reply, England's robust 91-run opening stand made way for an unfortunate middle and lower-order collapse, folding for 325 runs from being at 208/2 at one point in time. 

With a lead of 91 runs, Usman Khawaja's fantabulous 77, coupled with bits and pieces contributions from Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Smith, propelled them to 279 runs. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins' vicious opening spell reduced the hosts to 45/4 before Ben Stokes almost replicated his infamous heroics from the 2019 Ashes. While England kept losing wickets from one end, Stokes kept them alive with a monstrous century. The southpaw switched gears eventually but failed to get the job done for England after a Josh Hazlewood bumper rekindled Aussie hopes of a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

2. AUS vs IND, 2025 at MCG

With the series levelled 1-1 at home, Australians had to keep up with the winning momentum gained at the Adelaide Oval in the second Test. Steve Smith's 140 off 197 balls certainly helped their cause. Contributions flooded from the other top-order batters, Sam Konstas got to a quick 60, Usman Khawaja's hard-fought 57, and Labuschagne's gritty 72. The 474-run total on the board was too much to gain a lead for the Indian side in the second innings, as Nitish Kumar Reddy's terrific Boxing Day century and Yashasvi Jaiswal's 82 propelled the tourists to 369 runs. 

The surface deteriorated with time, and Jasprit Bumrah's lethal spell reduced them to 91/6 in quick time. However, the Aussie captain was all grit, playing a great hand with Labuschagne (70) and Nathan Lyon (41) to get to the 234-run mark and earn a lead of 339 runs. Batting in the fourth innings is no bed of roses, and the Indian batters felt the heat with the home pacers blowing hot. Local lad Scott Boland bagged a three-fer and so did Cummins, dousing Jaiswal's sensational 84 to fold the Men in Blue for 155 and gain an upper hand in the series with a Test to spare.

1. AUS vs ENG, 2023 at Edgbaston

The first Test of the 2023 Ashes was worth the hype heading to the battle of the urn. Batting first, England got off to a great start despite losing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope in the first session. Joe Root and Zak Crawley were all elegance before an Aussie comeback in the second session was rubbished by Jonny Bairstow's run-a-ball 78 and Joe Root's unbridled 118 off 152 balls, laying the foundation for a 393/8 runs declared total. 

Without a doubt, the premature declaration from Stokes and McCullum attracted a debate. And Australian batters happened to epitomise it with stupendous batting, highlighted by Usman Khawaja's 141 and Alex Carey's 66, steering them to 386. With a lead of just seven runs, the 'BazBall' mentality continued as the Three Lions fetched 273 runs on board with none of the batters getting to the 50-run mark. 

Chasing a tricky target of 280 runs, Australia got off to a positive start, courtesy of a 61-run partnership before a collapse unfolded, as the scorecard read 143/5 in the 45th over. This is when a 49-run stand between Khawaja and Cameron Green kept the Aussies in the game. With the game hanging in the balance, Australian skipper Cummins led the side from the front with the blade in hand. His 44 off 73 balls, batting in a tricky stage with the tail, helped the OZ fall on the right side of a red-ball humdinger.