The best team in cricket's classic format is set to be decided as South Africa take on Australia in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London from June 11 (Wednesday). This is the third time that the mega event is taking place. In fact, this is the thirs straight time after 2021 and 2023 tht the tournament is taking place in a venue in England. There is a particuar reason as to why the WTC final is never held outside of England.

The first WTC final in 2021 was held between India and New Zealand at the Kia Oval in London. The 2023 final between India and Australia was held in the Rose Bowl in Southampton. This year it is taking place in Lord's. The iconic venue is also slated to host the next WTC final in 2027.

Before the 2023 WTC Final, the ICC informed that the mega event is always held in England because of the timing. The event is always held in May-June, and the weather conditions in England during this time, which is the start of the traditional English summer, is ideal to play cricket in.

"The way the WTC cycle is set up, we are playing in the northern hemisphere summer. We look for diverse venues, currently as it stands within England. Lord's was considered, but the decision was made to use The Oval for this edition. In terms of the final every two years, the UK very much suits the set up of the tournament because it very much falls in line with the northern hemisphere," ICC General Wasim Khan had said.

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

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