Sport

Compared to the Aussies, the Proteas are heading into the WTC lacking experience – and trophies

Proteas batter Ryan Rickelton is one of eight players selected for the WTC final who will leave the IPL on 25 May and join up with the WTC squad on 31 May in Arundel, Sussex. (Photo: Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images)

By Keanan Hemmonsbey

30 May 2025

South Africa have a hurdle to climb to beat the Aussies in the World Test Championship final in June.

South Africa must overcome the challenge of experience – or the lack of it – in their quest for the World Test Championship (WTC) mace against Australia when the match gets under way on 11 June at Lord’s Cricket Ground in England.

With 367 Test matches, the Proteas 15-player squad have played fewer than half the total number the Australian squad, with 772.

This is down to several factors including the fact that South Africa often play fewer Test matches than the other eight teams in the WTC.

South Africa played the fewest number of matches over the last two years. In comparison, Australia registered more wins (13) in the WTC cycle than the number of matches South Africa played (12).

One illustration is that Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj has been playing Test cricket since 2016, but has played the exact number of Test matches as Marnus Labuschagne (57), despite the Aussie starting his international career four years later.

Not only do the South African squad fall short on experience, but the Australian squad are also a group of serial winners.

Since 2021, the team have collected every International Cricket Council (ICC) trophy there is to attain. This includes the WTC, as they head to the final at Lord’s as reigning champions, having beaten India in the final at the Oval in 2023.

Out of that playing XI from two years ago, only one member is not in their squad for the 2025 final — opening batter David Warner.

Australia are also reigning Cricket World Cup winners, having won the trophy in India in 2023, knocking South Africa out at the semifinal stage of that tournament.

Going back a few more years, the Aussies also won the T20 World Cup in Dubai in 2021. Four members of their WTC squad were part of the playing XI in the final: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith and Josh Hazelwood.

Less experienced

Keshav Maharaj (second from right) celebrates with Marco Jansen (left), Temba Bavuma (second from left) and David Bedingham (right) after taking a wicket against Pakistan. (Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad is putting his faith in the squad. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Ryan Rickelton is in the Proteas team for the WTC Proteas batter Ryan Rickelton is a key player. (Photo: Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images)

South Africa, conversely, head into the final without ICC silverware for any of the squad members, and only three members of the squad have more than 50 Test matches’ worth of experience.

They are captain Temba Bavuma (63), pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada (70) and spin wizard Maharaj (57).

Australia have eight players in their ranks who have played more than 50 Test matches. Smith (116) and Nathan Lyon (136) have well over 100, while Starc (96) is on his way to the three-figure mark. Usman Khawaja (80), Hazelwood (72), Cummins (67), Labuschagne (57) and Travis Head (56) make up the rest of the core of the team.

It’s this reason that slow left-arm orthodox Maharaj is likely to get the nod for the big finale regardless of conditions at Lord’s, with the side sorely lacking in experience.

Out of the batters the Proteas have available for selection for the final, both Tristan Stubbs (nine matches) and David Bedingham (12 matches) made their Test debuts in the current WTC cycle. Ryan Rickelton only became an established member of the side in the last year despite making his debut in 2022.

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad, though, believes that his side’s ability will count for more than just experience where they are edged by the Aussies.

“There’s no wand you can wave to make the teams equally experienced,” Conrad said. “It has to count for something, but I think when it comes to ability, which is what matters for me if we play to our true potential and ability, then their experience counts for a lot less.”

50-50

South Africa faced some criticism for the way they reached the WTC final, particularly from former England captain Michael Vaughan, as they didn’t face either England or Australia in this WTC cycle.

Along with the lack of experience and championship credentials, the Proteas head into the match as underdogs to Australia. But a one-off Test match at a neutral venue evens out the odds with Proteas skipper Bavuma believing the teams are 50-50 when the toss goes up.

“If they are maybe complacent or possibly lack in their preparations, and it gives us an extra five percent that comes our way, then we must take that,” Bavuma said. “We must be confident in our ability. We haven’t been handed this opportunity to be in the final; we have performed accordingly.

“Whatever has come our way, we have found a way to be successful. There is confidence we can take from that. Australia is Australia, we respect them, but it’s still a 50-50 chance in my eyes.” DM

Categories:

Sport

DM is much better if you are signed in...

Sport

Less experienced

50-50