The highly anticipated WTC Final 2025 has officially begun at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl first against Australia, aiming to take early advantage of the overcast skies and windy conditions.
Today’s weather is partly cloudy with light breeze, offering favorable swing conditions for bowlers. These conditions, combined with the famous Lord’s slope, are expected to test batters’ technique, especially in the early stages of the match. Bowlers will need to be precise with their line and length to exploit the slope effectively.
According to the pitch report, the surface is likely to remain consistent throughout the five days, but Day 2 is predicted to be the most favorable for batting. Boundary dimensions show the leg-side is 63 meters, the opposite side is 67 meters, and the straight boundary is even longer, which may influence run-scoring strategies.
South Africa playing XI:
Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (Captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (Wicketkeeper), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi.
Australia playing XI:
Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (Wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (Captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood.
With both teams fielding strong lineups, the WTC Final 2025 is set to be a gripping contest. South Africa will aim to strike early, while Australia will focus on steady batting through the tough initial session and laying a strong foundation.
