The World Test Championship (WTC) final has arrived at Lord’s, finally offering cricket’s most iconic ground a chance to host what is now the sport’s only global Test title match. Australia, the reigning champions, face South Africa in a contest that, while polarising in prestige, undeniably carries high stakes and a genuine opportunity for silverware.
Despite the absence of England and India traditionally the biggest draws in Test cricket the first four days of the final are sold out. That says something about Lord’s as a venue: its history, location, and diversity mean it can fill seats even for a neutral fixture. With talk of future finals moving elsewhere, possibly to India, Lord’s might not host again for some time, making this edition feel special.
While the WTC final is positioned as the pinnacle of the Test calendar, its legitimacy as the ultimate Test showdown is still debated. Many still view individual series wins as more significant, and arguably, the most memorable achievement of this cycle wasn’t even from a finalist New Zealand’s series win in India last year still resonates as a historic feat. However, that doesn’t diminish the unique appeal of this week’s one-off showdown: a cutthroat, high-stakes match to determine the world’s best Test side.
That said, the WTC format remains flawed. South Africa’s path to the final avoided matches against both England and Australia, casting doubt on the competition’s fairness. The current points percentage system has its critics, and until there’s a more balanced fixture list, these questions will persist. A more coherent setup perhaps an all-play-all format over a four-year cycle would add credibility, even if it means some compromises, such as shorter Tests or scheduling challenges.
Still, for all the format’s shortcomings, the WTC has succeeded in adding meaning to otherwise routine bilateral series. South Africa’s tense win over Pakistan in Centurion, for example, took on greater weight because of what was at stake. The WTC has created a narrative arc that connects disparate matches and series into a broader competition.
As for the final itself, Australia bring more than double the Test experience of their opponents and seem better suited to ride out pressure moments. Their attack is world-class, and their batting has depth, even with Marnus Labuschagne moved up to open. South Africa, though, aren’t without a chance especially if conditions assist their pace-heavy lineup. There’s also a wildcard factor: Stuart Broad, lending his insight to the Proteas as a guest coach, could help conjure something unexpected.
Whatever the result, this final reaffirms that high-stakes Test cricket still has a place and a pulse and Lord’s is the perfect stage for it.
