Last Updated on 11 months ago by Charbel Coorey

The build up to the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final is gathering momentum, with Australia and South Africa getting their respective preparation in order for the big clash. Part of that preparation will involve studying the opposition to identify potential chinks as well as the key players to get the better of.

There are a number of head-to-head player battles that could decide the 2025 WTC Final. Both teams possess excellent pace bowlers, and they will be of particular focus as conditions are expected to favour seam in this mid-June match at Lord’s.

Head-to-head player battles to watch out for in the 2025 WTC Final

Here is a look at five key player battles, along with other matchups to keep an eye on.

Kagiso Rabada vs Steve Smith

Kagiso Rabada has been in a thorn in Australia’s side in the past. He is not taking a backwards step once again, claiming “they [Australia] have been notorious for that [sledging] over the years” in the lead up to the Lord’s showdown.

Also, soon after South Africa qualified for the WTC Final, Rabada spoke about how the similar styles of the two sides brings the Proteas into the contest.

“South Africa versus Australia has always been an intense rivalry, because we play cricket quite similar. We play hard – and they’re going to come hard at us, and we know that. But we also know how to beat them,” Rabada said earlier this year.

The stage is set for Rabada to go hard at the Australians. And, he may just crank up the pace a little more when Steve Smith walks out to the middle. The two have had some great battles in Test cricket, and Rabada has largely kept Australia’s great number four in check. In 262 balls, Rabada has dismissed Smith four times for 128 runs.

Smith’s wicket is vital and Rabada needs to lead the charge. The runs have flowed for Smith since returning to number four, with four centuries in his last five Tests. Also, Smith averages 58.33 in five Tests at Lord’s, including two fifties and two hundreds.

Rabada also has good numbers against Travis Head (2/56 off 49 balls) and Usman Khawaja (5/154 off 319 balls).

Josh Hazlewood vs Temba Bavuma

Skipper Temba Bavuma has been a consistent performer for South Africa. Since the start of 2021, Bavuma has struck 1,690 runs at an average of 49.7. This includes ten fifties and three centuries in 40 innings.

While there is plenty of exciting talent in the South African lineup, Bavuma will be tasked with leading from the front. He has fared decently against Pat Cummins (1/56 off 137 balls) and Mitchell Starc (2/89 off 158 balls) on some very tricky batting surfaces, and will be looking to do the same again.

Josh Hazlewood, with his immaculate line and length, will look to catch the shoulder of Bavuma’s bat regularly. In 118 balls, Hazlewood has dismissed Bavuma twice, conceding just 46 in the process. However, Bavuma has faced just one delivery from Hazlewood since 2018, but the importance of this matchup remains given Hazlewood’s form and attributes, plus Bavuma’s importance.

Mitchell Starc vs Ryan Rickelton

2025 has been a fine year for Ryan Rickelton. He smashed 259 in the New Year’s Test against Pakistan, helped lead MI Cape Town to the SA20 title, and was solid at the top for Mumbai Indians in their run to the IPL 2025 playoffs.

A Test against the Australian attack is a different kettle of fish, but Rickelton is full of confidence and will take the challenge head on. Australia need his wicket early, and Mitchell Starc could be the man to do it.

In the 134 balls he has faced against left-arm pace in Tests, Rickelton averages 32 with a strike rate of 47.8. Against right-arm pace, he averages 35.4 with a healthier strike rate of 58.1.

Marco Jansen vs Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus Labsuchagne, who is tipped to open the batting, is under pressure to perform. Marco Jansen will be sure to test Labuschagne, who has had his issues against left-arm pace in the past, including Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Overall in Tests, Labuschagne has been dismissed ten times by left-arm seam at an average of 32.8 and strike rate of 45.4. This includes a matchup of 1/19 off 58 balls against Jansen.

Pat Cummins vs Aiden Markram

Aiden Markram is crucial to South Africa’s chances. The opener has shown glimpses of his best throughout his career, but an average of 35.71 reflects his inconsistency.

However, Markram took Australia on in 2018 and won. He averaged 60.00 in the four matches, and fared well against Josh Hazlewood (2/100 off 191 balls) and Mitchell Starc (1/82 off 112 balls). He is capable of producing the goods again.

If Markram is on, Pat Cummins could be Australia’s best bet to break his rhythm. Cummins has dismissed Markram four times in 123 balls, conceding 90 runs in the process.

So, there are some of the key player battles to watch out for in the WTC 2025 Final. Australia are aiming for their second-straight title, while South Africa are after that elusive ICC title.

The action kicks off on June 11.