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South Africa have enlisted former England fast bowler and Ashes legend Stuart Broad as a special consultant ahead of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025. The Proteas, aiming to dethrone defending champions Australia at Lord’s on June 11, hope Broad’s unparalleled experience against their familiar foe will provide the crucial edge. This marks Broad’s inaugural foray into coaching since his illustrious retirement from international cricket following the 2023 Ashes series.
Ashes experience seen as a key weapon against Australia
Broad, celebrated for his fierce and often dominant encounters with Australia, brings a treasure trove of tactical wisdom to the South African camp. His remarkable 167-Test career saw him claim an astounding 604 wickets, with an astonishing 153 of those scalps coming against Australia – a record unmatched by any other bowler in Test history. His mastery of Lord’s, often dubbed the ‘Home of Cricket,’ is equally significant, boasting an impressive 113 wickets in just 28 Tests at the iconic venue. South Africa will be banking on Broad’s intimate knowledge of both the formidable Australian lineup and the nuanced conditions at Lord’s to give them a decisive advantage in the high-stakes final.
Broad is scheduled to link up with the Proteas at their Lord’s training session on June 9, a mere two days before the monumental clash. While his broadcasting commitments will preclude him from being present in the dressing room during the match itself, his involvement in the crucial lead-up will primarily focus on mentoring South Africa’s potent pace attack. This includes the likes of the fiery Kagiso Rabada, the imposing Lungi Ngidi and the promising Marco Jansen. Broad is expected to impart his invaluable insights into understanding the subtle characteristics of the Lord’s pitch and developing intricate strategies to dismantle Australia’s formidable batting order.
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South Africa eye history as Australia aim to defend their WTC title
South Africa’s journey to their first-ever WTC final has been a testament to their resilience and consistently strong performances throughout the two-year championship cycle. Under the astute leadership of captain Temba Bavuma, the squad possesses a formidable pace unit spearheaded by Rabada, who returns from suspension, and ably supported by Ngidi and Jansen. The Proteas are currently fine-tuning their preparations with a four-day warm-up match against Zimbabwe at Arundel Castle Cricket Ground in Sussex before they assemble at Lord’s for their final preparations.
Conversely, Australia, under the captaincy of Pat Cummins, enter the final as undisputed favourites. They have showcased their dominance by winning four of their six WTC series and maintaining an unbeaten record at Lord’s over the past decade. Their squad is a formidable blend of seasoned experience and raw firepower, with veteran Steve Smith boasting an astonishing average of 101.80 at Lord’s in recent years. The Australians are unequivocally keen to defend the coveted mace they triumphantly won in 2023 and further solidify their supremacy at the ‘Home of Cricket.’
