The World Test Championship is the ICC’s attempt to give more context and excitement to the longest form of cricket in a world dominated by the T20 leagues. It has a two year cycle with the top nine teams playing a series of home and away matches to earn points towards the final. It has heightened the importance of Test cricket and provided fans with an exciting structure to follow.
This final will be held at Lord’s on Saturday and is expected to be a gripping contest between Australia and South Africa. The Aussies are favourites for the title and have a talented squad that includes players who play county cricket in England, as well as practice sessions at home. A victory will cement their status as the best team in Test cricket and set a record prize money of USD$2 million.
The Proteas, coached by the first Black captain in their history, Siya Kolisi, have come into this match with momentum on their side. Despite being criticised for sending a C-Team to New Zealand last summer, when most of their better players took part in the T20 tournaments, the Proteas won that tour and then marched all the way to the final.
It was a final that laid to rest the ghosts of the many heartbreaking losses on big ICC stages that have haunted South Africa over the years. Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma led the way, with the help of Kagiso Rabada’s impressive spell.