The ICC Test World Championship final is finally upon us for 2025 as South Africa make their first finals appearance against the reigning and defending champions Australia.
The climax of a two-year process will see the top two teams heading to London, England for a single test match, where the winner can claim $3.6million and the crown as the best test cricket team in the competition.
We'll take a look at the match-up between the two heavyweights and provide you with our best free cricket betting picks, as we look to earn you some extra cash while you enjoy the action on the field.
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ICC Test World Championship Final information
- Wednesday, June 11th 2025 - Sunday, June 15th 2025
- Lord's Cricket Ground, London, England
- 06:00am ET start time
- Live on Amazon Prime
- Umpires: Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth
- Winners earn $3.6million
- Runners-up earn $2.16million
South Africa Route to the Final
The Proteas have reached their first final in the ICC Test World Championship after finishing top of the league table over a two-year period.
South Africa played 12 matches against their rivals and came out victorious on eight occasions, losing just three times in the process. Their first win came in dominant fashion against India as they won by an innings and 32 runs, before falling to defeat against the same opponent in their second meeting by seven wickets.
They then suffered back-to-back defeats against New Zealand in the Tangiwai Shield series, before a draw against the West Indies in their next game. Since then though, they have been in sensational form.
The second game against West Indies saw South Africa claim a 40 runs victory, before a comfortable 7 wicket win over Bangladesh in their first meeting. Their second meeting was dominant, as they won by an innings and 273 runs. The Proteas then thrashed Sri Lanka by 233 runs and 109 runs in their two meetings, before out-bowling Pakistan and winning games against them by two wickets and ten wickets.
That earned them a 69.44% points total percentage, putting them top of the table and cementing them as a top side.
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Australia Route to the Final
Australia confirmed their status as the best test team in the world with their performance in this competition, winning 13 of their 19 games and ending with a points total percentage of 67.54% to finish in second place.
Their campaign started with the 2023 Ashes which were drawn after two wins and a draw against England, before a dominant 3-0 win over Pakistan as they won by 360 runs, 79 runs and then eight wickets respectively. Next up was the Frank Worrell Trophy against the West Indies which was drawn, as both teams won one match each.
A two-game clash with New Zealand saw the Aussies win by 172 runs and three wickets in each game, before they won three of their five-game series against India with one draw and a 295 run defeat alongside.
Austrlia then secured their place in the final by defeating Sri Lanka in consecutive games, winning the first game by an innings and 242 runs before a nine-wicket win the second game.
A battle of wills, minds and hearts in the Ultimate Test 👊
— ICC (@ICC) May 15, 2025
The #WTC25 Final at Lord's is upon us 🏟 pic.twitter.com/JsNXpmgOXD
Cricket Picks: Australia to win @ -225
It's no surprise that Australia come into the game as favorites to be crowned champions, having claimed such a high points percentage despite playing more games than all involved except for England.
Australia won the last series they played against South Africa 2-0 in the home summer of 2023, but this will be the first time the two country's have faced each other at Lord's since 1912 - where the Aussies won by 10 wickets.
Australia are also known for their excellent record at Lord's over the years, having won 16 of the 38 tests they have played there and losing just seven. That includes an undefeated run between 1934 and 2009, and several Ashes Test Series, which suggests they know how to cope with pressure too.
But South Africa are no pushovers and also have a healthy record at England's 'Home of Cricket', winning five of the seven matches they have played there since 1990.
For this match-up, the coin toss and first innings in the game will be incredibly important toward the result. The weather could also play a factor, with England known for dodgy weather which could bring a draw into the equation, but ultimately the Aussies know how to get a win.
South Africa have a well-balanced side but have never won the title, while the Australians have been here, done that. With Pat Cummins and co in great form too, there is good value on backing the Aussies to retain their title.
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Cricket Picks: Kagiso Rabada to take the most wickets @ +150
Kagiso Rabada is the bowler that keeps Australian batters up at night, and he will undoubtedly be a key man in South Africa's hopes of victory here.
After bursting onto the scene back in 2016 with raw pace and ability, his rivalry with the Aussies reached boiling point during an intense series back in 2018 where he was excellent.
In his career against Australia Rabada has claimed 49 wickets at a strike rate of 39.9, and there is nobody considered to be a top player who hasn't been a victim of his pace bowling. He also has secured 13 wickets in two appearances at Lord's in his career, including a five-wicket haul against England back in 2022.
With history on his side and South Africa hopeful of success, Rabada has the chance to be the main man even if they don't claim the trophy and this is a great value bet.
