By Leonard Ratnayake, Reporting from England
As we gear up for the much-anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s, the spotlight is on whether South Africa’s seam attack can exploit the conditions at the historic venue against a seasoned Australian side.
Australia, the defending WTC champions, have enjoyed consistent success at Lord’s, winning 45% of the 40 Tests they’ve played there over the last 75 years. The iconic ground has become something of a home away from home for the Aussies. They finished the 2023–25 WTC cycle with a points percentage of 67.54%, just behind South Africa’s 69.46%. Interestingly, South Africa reached the final after playing only 12 Tests in the cycle, compared to Australia’s 18.
This final presents a golden opportunity for the Proteas to shed their long-standing “chokers” tag, having won only 33% of their matches at Lord’s in their Test history.
Australia’s worst memory at the ground remains their 2009 Ashes loss, a match now infamous for the controversial Jonny Bairstow run-out incident. Though technically legal, the dismissal triggered wide criticism from the English public, who accused Pat Cummins and Alex Carey of violating the spirit of the game.
On the batting front, Australia boasts depth and experience. Steve Smith, who made his Test debut at Lord’s, has been prolific at the ground, with 525 runs to his name—just 17 short of overtaking Sir Donald Bradman’s record. Cameron Green returns to the squad after back surgery, bolstering the middle order, although he won’t bowl. Beau Webster is likely to feature as the backup all-rounder.
Marnus Labuschagne may be pushed up to open alongside Usman Khawaja, with young talent Sam Konstas potentially missing out. Travis Head remains in fine touch after a commanding 163 in the final Test of the WTC cycle, while Alex Carey has been a steady contributor in the middle order.
In terms of pace, Australia has a potent unit led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, with either Josh Hazlewood or Scott Boland expected to complete the attack. Webster may offer support with part-time seam, while Nathan Lyon could play a crucial role if the pitch starts turning by Day 4.
However, South Africa’s pace attack arguably has the edge. Kagiso Rabada, with 46 Australian wickets, will spearhead the assault. Backed by Marco Jansen’s bounce, and the swing and seam movement of Lungi Ngidi and Dane Paterson, the Proteas seem equipped to exploit any English green-top.
Of note, only two members of the current South African squad—Aiden Markram and Kyle Verreynne—have prior experience playing at Lord’s (from the 2022 tour), which could prove a factor under pressure.
Critics may argue that South Africa’s seven consecutive wins in the lead-up came against lower-ranked teams—West Indies, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—but selectors and fans must remember: you can only beat the opposition put in front of you.
While Australia’s batting lineup appears more robust on paper, South Africa’s pace unit may be better suited to English conditions. With both teams hungry for glory, and the legacy of the Lord’s adding to the drama, this WTC final promises to be a true spectacle.
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