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Which side will you be supporting in the ICC World Test Championship final 2025?
- Thread starter The Bald Eagle
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Devadwal
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Why ? Care to explain? I know they reached the WTC Final by default ( by playing minnow team apart from one series)Aus all the way to the WTC glory ! Cant digest a SA win here..
mominsaigol
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Since Australia is not willing to trust konstas for some reason, might as well go with the following
1) Travis Head
2) Usman Khawaja
3) Labu
4) Steve Smith
5) Inglis
6) Webster
7) Alex carey
1) Travis Head
2) Usman Khawaja
3) Labu
4) Steve Smith
5) Inglis
6) Webster
7) Alex carey
Head should bat at 5. He is a beast there and might be the diff between a trail and lead.
mominsaigol
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Head is obviously the logical choice at no 5. But I feel Australia doesnt wish to take a risk with labu or Konstas.
I forward the idea of konstas opening, but CA seems hesistiant. Labu was hinted to open but due to his rubbish form, they wanna back him at no 3 rather then give him the most difficult opening position.
They'll opt for Travis head if need be since he's a much better batsmen then both labu and Konstas at opening.
But again opening in england might backfire and take away one advantage aus has over eng in the form of head
mominsaigol
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He won't open full time in tests, but currently Aus is struck for choice.
Labu will likely stay at no 3. Inglis probably won't open. Its between Konstas and Head.
Issue is Konstas is 19-20. Asking him to open in a final is not only unfair but could shatter his confidence.
He's clearly talented but the likes of Bumrah, Rabada and a few others a bit beyond his caliber. His lap shots won't work forever.
Secondly last time konstas made his debut in Australia. It was still his own den which gave him an advantage over Bumrah. This is a new den that hes unfamiliar with and its an all important final.
Australia badly fumbled their future prospect preparations this time around.
They didn't bother replacing Warner and looking long term. Even Travis Head was pure luck, as he was originally a middle order medicore batsmen who wasnt suppose to stay long term. The fact that he'd be a natural replacement for Warner and finch was a happy accident.
Its a far cry from when a majority of their players were groomed and planned to walk into the side after their legends retired.
I find it ironic though. Their 2 best batters head and Steve smith were happy accidents. As even Steve smith was originally being groomed as a future legspinner. No one knew he'd be Ponting's successor in test cricket.
Nothing to do with SA, its more about Aus. Have been an Aus follower and supporter since the Steve Waugh days .. am a big big fan of Tugga Waugh & Warne , McGrath & Gilly & Langer. Watched almost all of Steve waugh's tests as captain and he was incredible with an incredible team at the time ; far ahead of its times. Other than Ind, I support Aus and if bazzball Eng was there, and it was AUs- vs Bazball Eng ( I probably would support bazball Eng ; am a big fan of bazball )Why ? Care to explain? I know they reached the WTC Final by default ( by playing minnow team apart from one series)
If USA was there, USA would be my first and only choice by the way !Why ? Care to explain? I know they reached the WTC Final by default ( by playing minnow team apart from one series)
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Maharaj: We want to honour legends of the past in ICC World Test Championship Final
Keshav Maharaj is determined to follow in famous footsteps at the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025.
South Africa will face-off against Australia for ownership of the ICC Test Championship mace at Lord’s, the same venue where the Proteas last got their hands on the trophy 13 years ago.
A legendary South Africa side comprising Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Graeme Smith beat England at the fabled ground to rise to world number one that day, and Maharaj revealed those memories are fuelling motivation for his side to repeat the feat.
“I remember watching that when they lifted the mace,” he said.
“We know that apart from doing it for us, we want to honour the legends of the past and hopefully we will one day be seen in the same calibre and light to win such a coveted title and hold the Test mace.”
South Africa arrive in London in strong form following seven consecutive Test victories, with defeat last coming against New Zealand in February 2024.
That run took the Proteas to the top of the ICC World Test Championship table and has bred plenty of confidence in camp ahead of the decider against Australia.
“When we started the journey two years ago, a lot of people didn’t think we’d be in this situation, but with each and every series we grow more and more,” added Maharaj.
“Our blend of youth and experience complements each other really nicely, and we find ourselves competing for another trophy.
“The boys have put in a lot of hard work. The excitement is building as we edge closer and it’s now about letting it sink in and soaking up the occasion to allow us to play with freedom.”
Maharaj is one of a number in the South African squad who have come agonisingly close to ICC silverware in the past few years.
The spinner was part of the side that finished runners-up at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, while the Proteas also reached the semi-finals of both the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
While those near misses still sting, Maharaj is insistent on using those experiences in a positive way.
He said: “In previous attempts, no one expected us to reach the knockout phases of any competition, but we have reached two semi-finals and two finals.
“Hopefully through all those misses we come right in this one. There is a lot of inspiration we can draw from in the brand of cricket we have played in the last three or four years.
“If we run with it and stay true to it, hopefully this is our opportunity to finally raise that most-coveted trophy that has eluded us for a number of years.”
On a personal note, Maharaj is just two away from 200 Test wickets, and while the experienced spinner is happy to trade individual accolades for team success, the prospect of bringing up the milestone at Lord’s is one that he cannot escape.
“It would be very special,” he admitted. “I don’t pay too much attention to the numbers, I just want to help ensure my team wins, so hopefully I can get a 10-fer.
“I’ve enjoyed my journey so far, hopefully I’ve got a long time left, but to get that feat in front of my family at Lord’s would be very special.
“Any cricketer always has a bucket list in terms of venues they want to play at, and this is such a wonderful opportunity for all of us.”
Keshav Maharaj is determined to follow in famous footsteps at the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025.
South Africa will face-off against Australia for ownership of the ICC Test Championship mace at Lord’s, the same venue where the Proteas last got their hands on the trophy 13 years ago.
A legendary South Africa side comprising Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Graeme Smith beat England at the fabled ground to rise to world number one that day, and Maharaj revealed those memories are fuelling motivation for his side to repeat the feat.
“I remember watching that when they lifted the mace,” he said.
“We know that apart from doing it for us, we want to honour the legends of the past and hopefully we will one day be seen in the same calibre and light to win such a coveted title and hold the Test mace.”
South Africa arrive in London in strong form following seven consecutive Test victories, with defeat last coming against New Zealand in February 2024.
That run took the Proteas to the top of the ICC World Test Championship table and has bred plenty of confidence in camp ahead of the decider against Australia.
“When we started the journey two years ago, a lot of people didn’t think we’d be in this situation, but with each and every series we grow more and more,” added Maharaj.
“Our blend of youth and experience complements each other really nicely, and we find ourselves competing for another trophy.
“The boys have put in a lot of hard work. The excitement is building as we edge closer and it’s now about letting it sink in and soaking up the occasion to allow us to play with freedom.”
Maharaj is one of a number in the South African squad who have come agonisingly close to ICC silverware in the past few years.
The spinner was part of the side that finished runners-up at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, while the Proteas also reached the semi-finals of both the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
While those near misses still sting, Maharaj is insistent on using those experiences in a positive way.
He said: “In previous attempts, no one expected us to reach the knockout phases of any competition, but we have reached two semi-finals and two finals.
“Hopefully through all those misses we come right in this one. There is a lot of inspiration we can draw from in the brand of cricket we have played in the last three or four years.
“If we run with it and stay true to it, hopefully this is our opportunity to finally raise that most-coveted trophy that has eluded us for a number of years.”
On a personal note, Maharaj is just two away from 200 Test wickets, and while the experienced spinner is happy to trade individual accolades for team success, the prospect of bringing up the milestone at Lord’s is one that he cannot escape.
“It would be very special,” he admitted. “I don’t pay too much attention to the numbers, I just want to help ensure my team wins, so hopefully I can get a 10-fer.
“I’ve enjoyed my journey so far, hopefully I’ve got a long time left, but to get that feat in front of my family at Lord’s would be very special.
“Any cricketer always has a bucket list in terms of venues they want to play at, and this is such a wonderful opportunity for all of us.”
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