&w=3840&q=100)
ICC announces record prize money for WTC final; India earn Rs 12.32 crore for finishing third
In a massive boost for the Test playing nations, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a huge jump in the prize money for the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. read more
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a massive jump in the prize money for the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The 2023-25 WTC final will see the defending champions, Australia, take on South Africa in the final from 11 June at the Lord's .
South Africa reached the WTC final by securing the top spot in the standings as they clinched series wins over Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They also drew a series at home against India.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Australia came second in the standings and qualified for the final after beating India 3-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
WTC final to have USD 5.76 million prize money pool
The ICC on Thursday said that the WTC 2023-25 Final will have a total prize money pool of a whopping USD 5.76 million (Rs 49.27 crore), which is more than double that of the last two editions.
The prize money for the winner has been raised by Rs 1.6 million, while the runners-up will also take home a huge rise. 'The champions will walk away with USD 3.6 million, a significant jump from the USD 1.6 million awarded in both 2021 and 2023 while the runners-up will earn USD 2.16 million, up from USD 800,000,' an ICC statement read.
More from First Cricket
Virat Kohli 'wanted to continue' in Tests but may have lacked BCCI support: Mohammad Kaif
Team India, which reached the final the last two times in 2021 and 2023, finished third in the WTC 2023-25 standings. They will be awarded USD 1.44 million (Rs 12.32 crore).
'We have witnessed a very interesting third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, where the finalists were decided only towards the end of the competition," ICC chairman Jay Shah said.
'The championship has showcased remarkable performances from players of different teams, culminating in a final between these two exceptional squads – a true celebration of cricket. I am sure spectators at Lord's, along with fans tuning in from all over the world, will be treated to some top-class cricket in this revered format when Australia and South Africa take the field less than a month from now."
Position Team Prize money (USD) Winner Australia/South Africa 36,00,000 Runners-up Australia/South Africa 21,60,000 Third India 14,40,000 Fourth New Zealand 12,00,000 Fifth England 9,60,000 Sixth Sri Lanka 8,40,000 Seventh Bangladesh 7,20,000 Eighth West Indies 6,00,000 Ninth Pakistan 4,80,000
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India Gazette
42 minutes ago
- India Gazette
WTC final 2025: Australia aim to defend their crown as South Africa chase history at Lord's
London [UK] June 10 (ANI): The stage is set at Lord's for what promises to be a gripping ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final as reigning champions Australia prepare to defend their title against a determined South African side eager to make history. This will be Australia's second consecutive appearance in a WTC final, having won the 2023 edition against India, while for South Africa, it marks their first-ever shot at Test cricket's ultimate prize. The match brings together two sides with outstanding records at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, often referred to as the 'Home of Cricket.' Australia have played 23 Tests at the venue, winning 12, losing just two, and drawing nine. South Africa, since their return to international cricket in 1991, have won five of their seven Tests at Lord's, drawn one, and lost only once, back in 2017. In their last appearance at the venue in 2022, the Proteas stunned England with an emphatic innings victory inside three days. With both sides enjoying strong histories at the ground, the final has fittingly been dubbed a clash between the 'Lords of Lord's.' There is plenty at stake for both teams. A win for Australia would make them the first team to successfully defend the WTC title, adding to their 2023 triumph. It would also earn captain Pat Cummins his third ICC trophy in under two years, having already led his side to WTC and World Cup glory in 2023, both times defeating India in the finals. For South Africa, this match represents a golden opportunity to shed the long-standing 'chokers' tag and lift their first major ICC title since the 1998 Champions Trophy, then known as the ICC KnockOut. South Africa's road to the final has been marked by consistency and dominance. They topped the WTC standings with a points percentage of 69.44, having notched up impressive victories against West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Australia, who finished second with a points percentage of 67.54, had a more diverse campaign, registering 13 wins, four losses, and two draws from 19 matches. Their path included a 2-2 draw in the Ashes against England, a 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan, a 1-1 draw against West Indies, a 2-0 away win in New Zealand, a 3-1 triumph over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and a 2-0 win in Sri Lanka. Among the many subplots to this final, the battle between Steve Smith and Kagiso Rabada stands out as potentially match-defining. In 15 innings where they have faced off, Smith has scored 128 runs off Rabada's bowling at an average of 48.85 and a strike rate of 32.00. The South African quick has dismissed him four times and kept him quiet with 207 dot balls, despite conceding 16 fours and two sixes. Rabada's record at Lord's adds to the intrigue; he averages just 19.38 at the venue with 13 wickets in two Tests, including a five-wicket haul. Only Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc have comparable numbers at the ground. Smith, however, is no less dominant at Lord's, having scored 525 runs in five Tests at an average of 58.33, with two centuries and two fifties. His most recent innings at the ground was a brilliant 110 against England during the 2023 Ashes. Australia captain Pat Cummins, speaking ahead of the final, emphasised the importance of embracing pressure situations. 'With some success, you just want to experience more of it, and that means when the going gets tough or the pressure is on, you embrace that. You take it on. You want to be the match-winner. Hopefully you don't get overwhelmed by big moments,' he said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. South African skipper Temba Bavuma confirmed that Lungi Ngidi will play ahead of Dane Paterson, pointing to the added pace and bounce Ngidi brings to the table. 'We've seen what Patto (Paterson) did for us at the end of last season. But from a tactical point of view, there's a little bit more pace from Lungi. He is taller as well,' Bavuma said. Australia playing 11: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood. South Africa playing XI: Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. (ANI)


India Gazette
42 minutes ago
- India Gazette
"He's just really unfortunate...": Pat Cummins as Scott Boland misses out in Australia's playing 11 for WTC final
London [UK] June 10 (ANI): Ahead of their clash against South Africa (SA) in the World Test Championship Final 2025, on June 11 at the Home of Cricket Lord's Australia captain Pat Cummins spoke in depth of bowling surrounding the decision to leave Scott Boland out of the XI and opt for Josh Hazlewood, according to ICC website. 'There are some guys where you generally say you've done nothing wrong, don't change a thing, and that's Scott, and he's just really unfortunate to miss out,' Pat Cummins said as quoted from the ICC. 'The message to Scott is there's a lot of Test matches coming up in the next couple of years, and just because you're in your mid-30s doesn't mean you're missing this Test and that's the last Test of your career.' 'I think by having a squad of fast bowlers, hopefully we can extend a lot of careers for an extra couple of years,' he added. Cummins explained the reasons why selectors opted for Labuschagne at the top of the order and decided to leave teenager Sam Konstas out of the XI. 'With Marnus moving, we thought it's one spot up really. It's not too different to batting three,' Cummins said. 'Marnus has experience; he has done well here at Lord's and in England in general.' The Aussie skipper also believed that even without playing, Sam Konstas can still learn and develop, as he has a long career ahead of him. 'Realistically, he's [Sam Konstas ] really young; he's got a long career ahead of him. So hopefully, even by not playing, we can show him their learning opportunities.' Former No. 1-ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne will be pushed up in the order to open alongside Usman Khawaja. At the same time, Josh Hazlewood won the race against Scott Boland to partner left-armer Mitchell Starc and Cummins in the pace attack. All-rounder Cameron Green will play his first Test since back surgery, while Beau Webster retains his spot in the XI and will provide the bowlers some support with his medium pace and spin options. Pat Cummins-led Australia will be looking to retain the mace that they claimed after defeating India in the previous edition of the World Test Championship Final at the Oval in June 2023. Australia WTC Final playing 11: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood. (ANI)


India Gazette
42 minutes ago
- India Gazette
"He deserved a spot in batting line-up": Pat Cummins on Cameron Green's spot in WTC final playing 11
London [UK], June 10 (ANI): Ahead of their clash against South Africa (SA) in the World Test Championship Final 2025, on June 11 Australia captain Pat Cummins believed that Aussie batter Camreon Green earned a spot in the batting lineup due to his recent good form, and the team thought batting at number three would suit him well. 'Cam Green, the last few weeks he's had, coming back in great form, we thought he deserved a spot in the batting line-up. We thought three probably suits him best. And then, with Marnus moving, we thought it's one spot up really. It's not too different to batting three. He's done well here in England in the past,' Pat Cummins said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. Cummins believed that Australian selectors are giving Marnus Labuschagne more opportunities because he has played a crucial role in getting the team to where they are now, and they are rewarding his contributions. 'I think our selectors are probably showing that they're happy to give someone an extra little run rather than pull the pin too early. He's [Marnus Labuschagne] played some crucial knocks in getting us here. Look back at the MCG [against India], his batting was right up there as a difference in that match. I think it's part of rewarding those guys who have got us here,' he added. Labuschagne has made only 935 runs in 36 innings with a best score of 111 at an average of 28.33, including a century and eight fifties, in the ongoing WTC cycle. Green will play his first Test since back surgery, while Beau Webster retains his spot in the XI and will provide the bowlers some support with his medium pace and spin options. Australia hasn't lost a Test series in the past two years, winning away in New Zealand and Sri Lanka while retaining the Ashes in England in 2023. They also defeated Pakistan and India at home, along with a draw against the West Indies, to secure a spot in the WTC decider against the Proteas. With Australia entering their second consecutive WTC final and South Africa making their first appearance, the stakes couldn't be higher. Australia playing 11 for WTC Final: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood. (ANI)