WTC 2025 final: Top three player battles to watch out for

Australia and South Africa take to the field as they contest for the World Test Championship finals. Pat Cummins has already led his side to their first title in 2023 when Australia beat India in the finals. South Africa on the other hand are playing their first WTC finals after beating Pakistan at home to reach the massive game. 

Both sides have been at the top of the game in the red ball format and have justified their spot in the finals. Ahead of the game the focus will be on the player battles when the two sides cross the ropes at the home of cricket at Lord’s. The two sides possess some heavy duty batters and heavy arsenal of bowling. 

Lord’s over the years has seen an even contest between the bat and ball and it promises to be an even game between. The first few days of the game will be in favor of the bowlers with the pitch expected to ease out as the match progresses. In the final few days, the pitch will start to take turn and offer bounce. 

Here are the top three player battles to watch out for

3- Mitchell Starc vs Aiden Markram

Left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc is set to play his 97th Test match and with 382 wickets, Starc is one of the best bowlers in the world. The 35-year-old is a natural swing bowler with the ability to bring the ball back into the right-handed batters. Starc, will be a key bowler with the new ball and if there is cloud cover, then the seamer will be handful to deal with. Aiden Markram, will be a key batter for South Africa in a game of such magnitude. The 30-year-old has an upright stance and will be keen to see out the new ball and put his team in a good position in the early part of the game. 

2- Kagiso Rabada vs Steve Smith 

South African pacer Kagiso Rabada will the key player for his side with the ball. Rabada at the age of 30 has already picked over 300 wickets and is poised to end his career at the top of the wicket takers list for his national side. Rabada has the pace and bounce that can unsettle the Aussie batters in the WTC finals. One of the batters to watch out for is Steve Smith who has been in rich vein of form scoring four centuries in his last five games. Smith and Rabada have been involved in some amazing battles over the years and the pair will be keen to outdo each other in the WTC finals. 

1- Travis Head vs Keshav Maharaj

The biggest battle to watch out for is set to take place between Travis Head and South African spinner Keshav Maharaj. The Australian batter scored a century in the WTC 2023 finals to help Australia take firm grip of the game. Keshav Maharaj on the other hand will be a key bowler in the middle stages of the game. Battle between the two players could dictate the course of the game especially if the wicket offers turn and bounce. Head is a naturally aggressive batter who has the ability to take on the bowlers and turn the game around in one session. Maharaj who is two wickets short of reaching 200 Test wickets will be licking his lips over the potential battle with the batter.