ICC WTC 2025 Final: Australia vs South Africa playing 11, player matchups

Dive into the key player battles and probable line-ups ahead of Australia vs South Africa in the ICC WTC 2025 Final. Use these insights to build your fantasy team for this high-stakes clash

The ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 starts today, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, marking the venue’s first time hosting a WTC final. Defending champions Australia are taking on South Africa in a high-stakes showdown. The coin flip in the match went in South African skipper Temba Bavuma's way who opted to bowl first.  Pat Cummins’ side, with a settled and experienced XI, start as favourites, aiming to retain the mace after their 2023 triumph. Temba Bavuma leads South Africa into their maiden WTC final, with the Proteas looking to end their long ICC title drought since 1998. Despite facing criticism for an “easy route,” South Africa arrive on the back of seven straight Test wins. With history, legacy, and a world title on the line, this promises to be a classic clash between two proud Test nations.  Check WTC final South Africa vs australia full scorecard here 

 

Temba Bavuma Test Captaincy Record

• Matches: 9
• Wins: 8
• Losses: 0
• Draws: 1
• Win percentage: 88.89%

Pat Cummins Test Captaincy Record

• Matches: 31
• Wins: 18
• Losses: 7
• No result: 5
• Win percentage: 72%

SA playing 11 vs AUS

 

South African skipper Temba Bavuma announced the Proteas’ playing XI a day before the match. The skipper is set to open the innings with Aiden Markram, while Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, and Kyle Verreynne will take care of the middle order. Keshav Maharaj will take the field as the lone spinner for the South African side, while Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi will handle the pace department.

 

SA probable 11: Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

 

SA full squad, ICC WTC 2025 Final: 

Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy

 

AUS playing 11 vs SA 

Similar to South Africa, Aussie skipper Cummins also announced his playing XI a day before. In a surprising move, Marnus Labuschagne will open the innings with Usman Khawaja, while the returning Cameron Green will take up the number three spot. Smith will return to the number four position, while Travis Head, Beau Webster, and Alex Carey will form the rest of the middle order. Nathan Lyon will lead the spin department, while Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will form the pace trio of the defending champions.

 

AUS probable 11: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

 

AUS full squad, ICC WTC 2025 Final: 

Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann

 

SA vs AUS: Key player battles to watch 

Batter	Bowler	Runs	Balls	Outs	Dots	4s	6s	SR	Avg
Usman Khawaja	Kagiso Rabada	154	319	5	249	20	0	48.3	30.8
Usman Khawaja	Keshav Maharaj	151	218	3	145	17	4	69.3	50.3
Usman Khawaja	Lungi Ngidi	13	68	0	61	2	0	19.1	-
Aiden Markram	Pat Cummins	90	123	4	76	9	0	73.2	22.5
Aiden Markram	Josh Hazlewood	100	191	2	147	14	0	52.4	50
Aiden Markram	Mitchell Starc	82	112	1	81	15	0	73.2	82
Temba Bavuma	Mitchell Starc	89	158	2	119	11	0	56.3	44.5
Temba Bavuma	Josh Hazlewood	46	118	2	98	6	0	39	23
Temba Bavuma	Pat Cummins	56	137	1	110	7	0	40.9	56
Travis Head	Lungi Ngidi	29	14	0	5	5	1	207.1	-
Travis Head	Keshav Maharaj	29	28	0	16	5	0	103.6	-
Travis Head	Kagiso Rabada	56	49	2	30	8	0	114.3	28
Steven Smith	Kagiso Rabada	128	262	4	207	16	2	48.9	32
Steven Smith	Keshav Maharaj	132	290	4	217	10	3	45.5	33
Steven Smith	Lungi Ngidi	33	51	0	39	6	0	64.7	-