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The stage is set for one of the most anticipated red-ball clashes in recent cricket history, the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 between Australia and South Africa, scheduled to begin on June 11 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
South Africa set for historic WTC final against Australia at Lord’s
This final marks a significant moment for South African cricket, as it is the first time the Proteas have qualified for a WTC Final since the tournament’s inception in 2019. After two consecutive cycles where they fell short despite promising starts, Temba Bavuma’s side finally overcame the hurdle in the 2023–25 cycle with disciplined cricket and resilience, especially in home conditions.
Australia, on the other hand, are walking in as the defending champions, having defeated India in the 2023 WTC Final at The Oval. With a lineup stacked with experience, tactical discipline, and world-class performers like Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, they remain the team to beat. However, the conditions at Lord’s, especially in June, add a fascinating variable, early morning swing and seam, a factor that could level the playing field and give the Proteas their best shot at glory.
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Herschelle Gibbs reveals what South Africa must do to win WTC 2025
South Africa’s strength lies in their fast bowling unit, which includes Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, each capable of exploiting English conditions with pace, bounce, and movement. The key question, though, is how best to use that strength and former Proteas legend Herschelle Gibbs has offered a clear answer.
Ahead of this high-stakes final, Gibbs, one of South Africa’s most explosive former batters, shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting a bold tactical move. In a tweet, he wrote:
“With regards to the Test Championship final, Proteas’ best chance of winning for me would be to bowl first,”
With regards to test championship final, proteas best chance of winning for me would be to bowl first ..
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) June 9, 2025
Gibbs’ advice is rooted in both strategic understanding and historical precedence. English conditions, especially in the early summer, typically favor fast bowlers during the first session of a Test match, particularly at Lord’s, where the Dukes ball often moves appreciably under overcast skies and on a fresh pitch. By choosing to bowl first, South Africa would be maximizing their greatest asset their fast bowling, in the most favorable conditions. In most Test matches, teams prefer to bat first to build scoreboard pressure and avoid fourth-innings chasing. However, finals are different, they demand adaptability and awareness of short-term match situations more than long-term statistical norms.
Also READ: World Test Championship: South Africa’s road to the 2025 WTC Final
