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In a landmark move that reflects the growing prestige of Test cricket on the global stage, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed a significantly enhanced prize pool for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final. The summit clash of the WTC 2023-25 cycle, scheduled to be held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on June 11, will see South Africa and Australia go head-to-head in a high-stakes battle for the championship mace, glory, and record financial rewards. The total prize money earmarked for the one-off final stands at a massive USD $5.76 million, marking a more than twofold increase from the previous editions of the championship held in 2021 and 2023.
Record-breaking prize pool announced for ICC World Test Championship final
One of the most striking changes in this edition of the WTC Final is the sheer magnitude of the prize money on offer. The team that emerges victorious at Lord’s will walk away with USD $3.6 million, which is a staggering jump from the USD $1.6 million awarded to New Zealand in 2021 and to Australia in 2023. The runners-up will also not leave empty-handed, taking home USD $2.16 million, a figure nearly triple the USD $800,000 awarded to past runners-up. This step by the ICC showcased their intent to promote the five-day format by offering players and teams strong financial incentives that rival other formats of the game. The remaining other teams will also receive a share of the overall pool.
It's exciting to announce that the winner of the #WTC25 Final between South Africa and Australia will earn $3.6M, with the runner-up to receive $2.1M. The increase in prize money exhibits our efforts to prioritize Test cricket and build on momentum from previous WTC cycles. @ICC pic.twitter.com/GMgWxM7GSb
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) May 15, 2025
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South Africa’s consistency earns them first-ever WTC final spot
South Africa’s journey to the final has been marked by an exceptional level of consistency and resilience across multiple series. Their campaign featured pivotal series victories over Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, demonstrating their ability to dominate both at home and away. A drawn home series against a formidable Indian side added crucial points to their tally, ensuring they remained atop the standings by the end of the WTC cycle. With this, South Africa have now qualified for their first-ever WTC Final, and they will be eager to make the most of this opportunity by chasing their maiden ICC title in the Test format, a feat they have long aspired to achieve but have narrowly missed in the past.
Australia eye historic repeat after dominant Test season
Australia, the reigning champions of the WTC, have once again showcased their supreme command in the Test arena. Their ticket to the final was punched through an authoritative 3-1 victory over India in the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Additionally, a 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan on home soil, coupled with crucial away series victories against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, reaffirmed their strength and depth across varying conditions. The Pat Cummins-led side now has a chance to create history by becoming the first-ever two-time WTC champions, and with their recent form and battle-hardened lineup, they will enter the Lord’s final with immense confidence and clarity in their approach.
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