Cowper, first Test triple-centurion on Australian soil, dies aged 84
Left-handed batter Cowper played 27 Tests for Australia between 1964 and 1968, scoring five centuries including a 12-hour 307 off 589 balls against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the Ashes series in 1966.
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Business Standard
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- Business Standard
ICC WTC 2025 Final: Australia's road to the final vs South Africa
Pat Cummins-led Australian cricket team will aim to retain their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) mace when they face South Africa in the final of the ICC WTC 2025, starting June 11 at Lord's Cricket Ground in England. Australia enjoyed a successful WTC 2023–25 cycle, winning 13 of the 19 Test matches they played during this period. They drew two matches and lost four, which put their final points percentage at 67.54 per cent — second only to South Africa, whose final points percentage was 69.44 per cent. But how exactly did Australia manage to find their way to the ICC WTC final for the second time in a row? Let's take a look. The Ashes 2023: Drawn 2–2, But Advantage Australia Australia kicked off their WTC 2023–25 cycle with a high-voltage five-match Ashes series in England. They won the first two Tests — at Birmingham by 2 wickets and at Lord's by 43 runs — showcasing early dominance. Despite a 3-wicket loss in Leeds and a 49-run defeat at The Oval, Australia retained the Ashes after rain saved the fourth Test in Manchester. The 2–2 result gave them critical WTC points in foreign conditions. Clean Sweep Over Pakistan at Home Back on home turf, Australia hosted Pakistan for a three-match series and displayed complete control. They crushed Pakistan by 360 runs in Perth, followed by a hard-fought 79-run win in Melbourne. In Sydney, the Aussies chased down a modest target with 8 wickets in hand, completing a dominant 3–0 series win. Shocking Slip Against West Indies Australia continued their home season against the West Indies. The first Test in Adelaide was a breeze — a 10-wicket victory. But in Brisbane, the Windies stunned everyone, edging out a dramatic 8-run win. Despite the unexpected hiccup, Australia took the series 1–1, and the points proved vital in the long run. Battle-Tested But Victorious in New Zealand Australia then travelled to New Zealand for a challenging two-match series. In Wellington, they delivered a crushing 172-run win. The second Test in Christchurch was much tighter, but Australia held their nerve to win by 3 wickets. The 2–0 away series win gave their WTC campaign a significant boost. Redemption vs India in Five-Test Epic India's tour of Australia turned out to be one of the most intense series in recent memory. Australia were humbled in the first Test at Perth, losing by 295 runs. But the hosts responded strongly: a 10-wicket win in Adelaide, a draw in Brisbane, a 184-run triumph in Melbourne, and a 6-wicket win in Sydney turned the series in their favour 3–1. This was a major statement from Cummins' men. Sri Lanka Routed in Galle Australia rounded off their WTC cycle with a clinical two-Test sweep in Sri Lanka. They dominated the spin-friendly conditions in Galle, winning the first Test by an innings and 242 runs — one of their biggest overseas wins — and the second by 9 wickets. These away victories solidified Australia's position in the final standings.
India Today
2 hours ago
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WTC final Australia vs South Africa: All the FAQs answered
A high-stakes clash awaits at Lord's as Australia and South Africa gear up to face off in the World Test Championship Final from June 11. For South Africa, this isn't just a shot at a global title—it's a chance to end a 25-year-long wait for an ICC trophy, a drought that has haunted them since their heartbreak against Australia in the 1999 World Cup semi-final. With that painful chapter lingering in memory, the Proteas now stand on the brink of rewriting history in the longest format. Meanwhile, Australia arrive with the confidence of experience, having already lifted the WTC mace in 2023 and put in another dominant run this path to the final was marked by a strong start in the Ashes, followed by a clean sweep of Pakistan at home and a landmark Border Gavaskar Trophy win over India. Though a shock defeat to West Indies briefly jolted them, victories in Sri Lanka and consistent performances kept them comfortably atop the Test Africa, on the other hand, stumbled early with losses to India and a second-string tour of New Zealand that ended in a 0-2 defeat. But under Temba Bavuma, they bounced back with away wins in the West Indies and Bangladesh, before cruising past Sri Lanka and Pakistan at home. That final 2-0 victory against Pakistan sealed their maiden WTC final spot, setting up a fiery finale against their old rivals at the Home of won the first two WTCs?advertisement The inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) Final took place in 2021, with New Zealand emerging as the first-ever champions. They defeated India by eight wickets in a rain-affected match at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Led by Kane Williamson, the Kiwis showcased disciplined bowling and calm batting under pressure, with Kyle Jamieson earning Player of the Match for his all-round clinched the second edition of the WTC in 2023, overpowering India once again—this time at The Oval in London. Pat Cummins' side dominated across all departments, with Travis Head's counterattacking century in the first innings setting the tone. Australia sealed a 209-run victory, becoming the second team to win the coveted Test and where is the WTC Final between Australia and South Africa?The ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and South Africa will be held from June 11 to June 15, 2025, at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London, match will start at 3:30 PM (IST), with the toss expected to take place at 3:00 PM (IST).Australia vs South Africa, WTC Final: Playing XIsAustralia have made a few adjustments to their playing XI for the World Test Championship Final against South Africa, with skipper Pat Cummins confirming that Marnus Labuschagne will open the batting alongside Travis Head. Youngster Sam Konstas continues to miss out following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green return to the lineup after recovering from injuries that kept them out of Australia's recent Test Africa, in contrast, have largely stuck with the core that secured a series win against Pakistan. The only change sees Lungi Ngidi return from injury, replacing Kwena Mphaka in the pace Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh 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 to watch WTC Final between Australia and South Africa in India?In India, the WTC Final between Australia and South Africa will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network. You can also stream the match live on JioHotstar app and website across multiple vs South Africa, WTF Final: Record at Lord'sAustraliaadvertisementMatches Played: 40Won: 18Lost: 7Drawn: 15South AfricaMatches Played: 17Won: 6Lost: 7Drawn: 4What is the head-to-head tally of Australia vs South Africa in Tests?Across the 101 Test played between the two sides, Australia have won 54 Test, with South Africa winning 26 and 21 matches ending in a is the prize money for the WTC winners?The 2025 World Test Championship Final offers a record prize pool, with the winners set to earn US $3.6 million and the runners-up taking home US $2.16 million. This is a major jump from the past two finals, where the champions received $1.6 million and second place was awarded $800, is the Lord's pitch report for the AUS vs SA, WTC Final?Both Australia and South Africa enter the WTC Final with limited experience of playing at Lord's in early June, making conditions somewhat unfamiliar. A dry start to the English summer means the pitch is on the drier side, potentially offering more help to spinners than usual. Traditionally, the surface aids seamers early on with the Dukes ball swinging throughout the day, but batting gets easier as play the last Test at the venue in September 2024, Joe Root scored a century as England beat Sri Lanka by 190 is the weather forecast for London?The weather for the WTC Final at Lord's is expected to be mostly favourable, though the opening day may see some overcast conditions and rain is likely on Day 2, June 12. The following three days should bring improved playing conditions with sunshine and occasional clouds. Overall, there's an 8–25% chance of rain during the match, with temperatures ranging between 17C and happens if the WTC Final is drawn, tied or called off?The World Test Championship Final has a sixth day—June 16—set aside as a reserve day. This will only come into play if time is lost during the first five days due to weather and it cannot be recovered within the scheduled match duration. The idea is to allow enough time for a result if rain or bad light hampers play, much like what happened in the 2021 WTC Final between India and New Zealand, where Day 1 was completely washed out and the reserve day was if the match still ends without a result—either through a draw, tie, or washout even after using the reserve day—then both Australia and South Africa will share the WTC title. The reserve day exists purely to compensate for lost playing hours and cannot be used just because a match is tied or heading toward a did Australia and South Africa finish in the WTC 2023-25 points table?South Africa topped the table for the first time in history with eight wins from 12 matches and a win percentage of 69.44. Australia finished ahead of India with 13 wins in 19 matches and a win percentage of did South Africa and Australia last win an ICC title?South Africa won their last ICC title in men's cricket in 1998. Australia's last ICC title came as recently as 2023 when they lifted the ODI World Cup in was the Player of the Match for Australia in their maiden WTC final win?Australia beat India by 209 runs at the Oval in the World Test Championship final in 2023. Australia posted 469 in their first innings, thanks to centuries from Steve Smith and Travis response, India were bowled out for 296 despite 89 from Ajinkya Rahane and handy knocks from Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul went on to add 270 in their second innings before bundling India out for 234 in the final Head won the Player of the Match for setting the tone with his blazing 163 off 174 balls.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
WTC Final 2025, SA vs AUS Lord's London Weather-Pitch Report: How will weather and pitch play for South Africa vs Australia final
ICC WTC Final 2025, SA vs AUS Lord's Stadium Pitch Report, London Weather Forecast Today Match Lord's will host the World Test Championship final for the first time. In the marquee event, Pat Cummins' Australia will take on Temba Bavuma's South Africa. Australia has already been in the final of this event before, and they have won it, beating India in 2023 at Kia Oval. However, for South Africa, this is the first time they have reached the final. Both sides have picked their line-ups for the event on Tuesday and have opted to go for an extra bowling option who can use the conditions at Lord's. However, regardless of the combination picked, South Africa are thin on experience both in terms of Test matches and playing in England. Many of the players are playing in the Lord's for the first time. As per Australia, they have seasoned players who have toured England many times before and have been part of the Ashes and have delivered some remarkable performances on the way. The conditions in Lord's tend to help the seamers more. One of the factors that differs Lord's from the other grounds is the slope. Bowlers who are accurate in their lines and lengths can exploit this to full effect. Over the years, the likes of Glenn McGrath have been one of the famous exponents of this factor, being an accurate bowler. Both sides have some very canny operators on their side who can make the most of the slope and trouble the batters. According to the Accuweather App, the weather looks to be promising for Day 1 of the Test match on Wednesday. However, there may be a few rain interruptions on Thursday and Friday, but because of the sunny conditions today team winning the toss might opt to bat first. Also, for the WTC final game, if the game is not finished in five days, it can go to the sixth day.
