New Delhi, Jan 2: South Africa has officially secured their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, scheduled to take place at Lord’s from June 11-15, 2025. The Proteas booked their berth with a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test at Centurion. Now, the race heats up to determine who will face them, with Australia, India, and Sri Lanka still in contention.
South Africa’s Dominance
After a resurgent season, South Africa has risen from fifth place to the summit of the WTC standings, courtesy of six consecutive wins. Their most recent triumph saw them chase down 148 in a nail-biting contest, with Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada’s 51-run partnership for the ninth wicket sealing the deal.
Captain Temba Bavuma credited the team’s collective effort for their success, stating, “It feels like all the hard work we’ve put in over the past 12 months has paid off. Different guys have stepped up at different times — it’s been a real team effort.”
Remarkably, South Africa’s rise came despite sending a weakened squad to New Zealand earlier this year due to a clash with their domestic T20 competition, which resulted in a 0-2 series loss. The Proteas will maintain their top spot in the standings with a win in the final Test against Pakistan, regardless of Australia’s results in their remaining fixtures.
Australia: The Defending Champions
Australia’s dramatic Boxing Day Test win over India has propelled them into second place in the WTC standings. With three matches remaining, Pat Cummins’ side is in pole position to join South Africa at Lord’s. A single victory in their upcoming fixtures would suffice to secure their place, barring any over-rate penalties.
If Australia wins the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Sydney to clinch the series 3-1, they will eliminate both India and Sri Lanka from contention. Even three draws in their remaining games would be enough for Australia to qualify.
To reclaim the top spot from South Africa – a position with no practical significance for the final – Australia would need to win all three remaining Tests and hope the Proteas lose their final match against Pakistan.
India’s Slim Hopes
India’s chances of making the final have dwindled following two defeats and a draw against Australia in the ongoing series. For Rohit Sharma’s men to stay alive, they must defeat Australia in the final Test in Sydney. Any other result would see them eliminated.
Even with a win, India would still need Sri Lanka to either defeat Australia 2-0 in their subsequent series or hold them to a 0-0 draw. Should Australia win even one of their remaining three matches, India’s journey in this WTC cycle would come to an end.
Sri Lanka’s Long Shot
Sri Lanka remains a mathematical possibility despite their 0-2 series defeat to South Africa. To stay in the race, Sri Lanka must hope for an Indian win or a draw in Sydney. If that happens, they would then need to beat Australia 2-0 in their home series next year – a tall order. Any other result, such as a 1-0 victory, would not suffice.
The Final Countdown
With just six Tests left in the WTC cycle, all eyes are on Australia, India, and Sri Lanka as they vie for a coveted spot in the final against South Africa. While Australia remains the favorite, the unpredictability of Test cricket ensures the race isn’t over yet. (Agencies)
