Highly Anticipated WTC Final Set for Lord’s

The World Test Championship (WTC) final is slated to occur at Lord’s Cricket Ground from June 11-15, featuring a face-off between Australia and South Africa.

Rickelton Aims for Victory Against Australia

South African opening batsman Ryan Rickelton conveyed his aspirations for a stellar performance against Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final, hoping to steer his team to victory.

Facing the Challenge at Lord’s

In a conversation on Cricket South Africa’s social media platform, Rickelton expressed his feelings about competing at Lord’s. He acknowledged that it would be a unique experience, especially considering that many South African players will be making their Test debut at this iconic venue.

“I’m consciously trying not to overthink it. I was fortunate enough to be the 12th player when we played England, providing me with a glimpse of the atmosphere. I hope the magnitude of the occasion won’t be overwhelming, and I can rely on that previous experience to manage my expectations. It’s not only my first Test match here but also the first for many in the group, and the excitement is palpable,” he stated.

Respect for Australia’s Bowling Prowess

Rickelton is also aware of the strong Australian bowling lineup, which includes names like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, who have been dominant figures in Test cricket for nearly a decade.

“They’ve been a central part of the team, with their bowling attack being a consistent force for many years. We recognize the challenge they present. I had the opportunity to play against them in India, which gave me a taste of what to expect, though playing at Lord’s with a red ball will be a completely different scenario,” he added.

Anticipation for Opening Partnership with Markram

Rickelton also expressed his enthusiasm for partnering with Aiden Markram at the top of the order, aiming to establish a solid foundation for the Proteas.

“I don’t think it’s a deliberate strategy. I’ve found myself sitting next to him on the bus and plane naturally. As we get closer to the match, we’ll discuss the intricacies of playing at Lord’s and practice batting together more. It’s just how things are unfolding, and it’s great to open with such a talented partner. I’ve already told him he’s facing the first ball, and I’m looking forward to hopefully starting with a strong opening stand,” he mentioned.

Championship Standings

South Africa is currently in the lead in the WTC 2023-25 standings, having secured eight victories out of twelve Test matches.

Following a 1-1 draw in a home series against India and a 2-0 defeat in New Zealand, they recovered with series wins against the West Indies (1-0), Bangladesh (2-0), Sri Lanka (2-0), and Pakistan (2-0).

Meanwhile, Australia is in second place, with 13 wins and four losses out of 19 Tests.

Their journey included a 2-0 victory against Sri Lanka, a 3-1 win over India, a 2-0 series win against New Zealand, and a 1-1 draw with the West Indies. They also achieved a 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan, while the Ashes series against England concluded in a 2-2 draw.

Squads

  • Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
  • South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson.