Could the Australia–South Africa showdown at Lord’s be the shortest ever WTC Final?

With bowlers dominating and conditions heavily favouring seam movement, the third edition of World Test Championship (WTC) final is unfolding at a lightning pace. Over 28 wickets have fallen within just six sessions, raising the possibility of a result well before the scheduled fifth day - or even the reserve day.

Of the 28 wickets to fall so far, 25 have been claimed by pace bowlers, perfectly reflecting the seamer-friendly conditions and the nature of the Lord’s pitch. The dominance of the quicks has emphasized just how much the weather and surface have influenced play in this fast-moving WTC Final.

Pat Cummins (6/28) and Kagiso Rabada (5/51) have led the charge with lethal spells, as batting collapses have defined the contest so far. If the trend continues, this high-stakes clash could go down in history as the shortest WTC Final ever played.


It’s highly likely that the match could finish later today, wrapping up inside just three days - something that has never happened before in a World Test Championship Final.


South Africa mounting a stunning fightback to bowl out Australia and clinch an improbable victory to claim the ICC mace may seem like a distant possibility - but cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties. Should such a turnaround occur, this WTC Final would undoubtedly etch its place in the history books as one of the most dramatic and unforgettable contests ever played.

Earlier on Day 2, Cummins delivered a stunning spell, taking four wickets for just one run to trigger South Africa’s collapse for 138 in response to Australia’s first-innings total of 212 at Lord’s.

Australia had reached 144/8 when the stumps were drawn on the second day, holding a potentially match-defining lead of 218 runs.

Australia’s second innings saw a dramatic top-order collapse to 73/7, with Kagiso Rabada (3/44) and Lungi Ngidi (3/35) leading South Africa’s charge. However, Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16*), steadied the innings with a crucial 61-run stand for the eighth wicket, before Carey was trapped lbw by Rabada late in the day.

HOW LONG PREVIOUS TWO WTC FINALS LASTED?

The inaugural edition of the WTC Final, held in Southampton, saw New Zealand defeat India by eight wickets in a match that lasted six days, including the reserve day due to rain interruptions. The second edition also went the full distance, with Australia securing a commanding 209-run victory over India after five days of play.

RESERVE DAY IN WTC 2025 FINAL?

June 16 has been designated as the reserve day for the ongoing WTC Final 2025 by the ICC. As per the tournament regulations, the reserve day will only be used if time lost during the scheduled five days - due to weather or other interruptions - cannot be recovered, even after extending play on the affected days. Crucially, the reserve day will come into effect only if no result is reached by the end of the fifth day.