The World Test Championship, initiated by the International Cricket Council, is still redefining the future of Test cricket, as Australia is ready to defend its shining trophy against South Africa in the 2025 final to be held at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The World Test Championship, inaugurated in 2019, has so far produced two worthy WTC Final champions who have made their place in the history of cricket. New Zealand were the first winners, having beaten India by eight wickets in the first WTC Final at the Rose Bowl in Southampton in 2021. The victory by the Kiwis was the first in the history of the longest format of the game to have some order and international relevance in a bilateral Test series.
The second team to become WTC Final winners was Australia, which beat India by 209 runs at The Oval in 2023. The leadership of Pat Cummins began to bear fruit as the Aussies won their first World Test Championship in the WTC Final, and Travis Head was named the Player of the Match after his splendid century.
The ongoing 2023-2025 WTC Final match has been characterised by the incredible South African feat of their first-ever WTC Final. Proteas have played in all conditions and have ensured that they are among the eight teams that will compete with defending champions Australia in the showdown at the Home of Cricket.
This is a huge step in the South African cricket qualification, as they are set to face one of the best Test teams in the world in the coming WTC Final. With the date set on June 11-15, 2025, the game is bound to produce the best of cricket with both teams giving their all to win the WTC mace.
Complete WTC Final Winners Record
| Cycle | WTC Final Champions | Runners-up | Venue | Result |
| 2019-2021 | New Zealand | India | Rose Bowl, Southampton | Won by 8 wickets |
| 2021-2023 | Australia | India | The Oval, London | Won by 209 runs |
| 2023-2025 | TBD | TBD | Lord’s, London | Pending |
Upcoming Final (2023-2025)
- Teams: Australia vs. South Africa
- Venue: Lord’s, London
- Dates: June 11-15, 2025
The World Test Championship has been able to change the interest in Test cricket and has given context to the bilateral series, as well as a journey towards world domination. Every two years, the cycles preserve the traditional values of the sport and add the competitive features that attract the modern audience.
The next event in 2025-2027 will have 71 matches in 27 series, as all nine ICC full-member countries will be playing to win the championship. The points system gives a reward for winning, but it promotes positive cricket, and that is the fine line between tradition and innovation.
