WTC 2025 Final: 3 Key players to watch out for

The third edition of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC 2023-25) is all set to conclude with the grand finale between Australia and South Africa at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, starting on June 11. 

While South Africa topped the WTC 2023-25 standings with eight wins in 12 games, Australia was ranked second with 13 wins from 19 games. Notably, the tournament had 69 matches played among nine teams across 27 series in the league stage.

The WTC 2023-25 cycle started off with the Ashes 2023 series between England and Australia in June 2023. Team India won nine games in 19 matches, settling for the third position to miss out on the first-ever WTC Final.

On that note, let's take a look at three players to watch out for in the WTC 2025 Final between Australia and South Africa.

3 Players to watch out for in WTC 2025 Final

1. Steve Smith

Former Australian captain Steve Smith emerged as the second-leading run-scorer for Australia in the ongoing WTC 2023-25 cycle, amassing 1324 runs from 35 innings at an average of 41.37. He has an exceptional record in English conditions, which makes him a player to watch out for.

With five centuries and four fifties in the ongoing WTC cycle, Smith is one of the top batters to keep a keen eye on in this grand finale against South Africa. Moreover, he recorded his highest score of the cycle (141) against Sri Lanka away from home.

2. Pat Cummins

Australian captain Pat Cummins, who played a crucial role in taking his side to the grand finale, is our second player to keep a close watch on in the exciting final clash. Cummins ended the league phase of the WTC 2023-25 cycle as the second leading wicket-taker with 73 scalps from 17 Tests, just behind Jasprit Bumrah's 77.

While Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon also had exceptional outings, emerging as third and fourth leading wicket-takers, Cummins created a significant impact with four four-wicket hauls and five fifers.

3. Temba Bavuma

South African captain Temba Bavuma is our third player to watch out for. The Protea top-order batter has accumulated 609 runs from just 11 innings at an impressive average of 60.90, laced with two centuries and four half-centuries.

Apart from his exceptional leadership skills, Bavuma has displayed brilliant batting gameplay to propel his side to the grand finale for the first time in three editions. In November 2024, Bavuma smacked his highest score of the cycle (113 runs) against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium, Durban.

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