Pat Cummins Prepares for WTC Final Against South Africa: A Fresh Challenge

Australia Faces South Africa in WTC Final

Australia, under the leadership of Pat Cummins, is gearing up to face South Africa in the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's. As the reigning champions await this significant match, Cummins expressed his thoughts, noting that it's refreshing to see a team other than India competing in the final.

In a pre-match media interaction, Cummins acknowledged that while Australia may be favored on paper, South Africa's path to the final should not be overlooked. He emphasized that the Proteas have earned their place, dismissing any criticism regarding their WTC journey.

Critics have pointed out that Temba Bavuma's squad did not encounter major teams like Australia, India, or England during the WTC 2023–25 cycle, qualifying instead through commendable performances in shorter Test series. However, Cummins remains unconvinced by this perspective.

He remarked, 'In some ways, you expect India to be around. England has been quite strong at home, and New Zealand often reaches finals. But the same could be said for South Africa in ICC events.'

Cummins added, 'We just don’t see them often in Test cricket, but it’s nice to have a different final than the usual Australia-India matchup.'

He further stated, 'You can only compete against those in front of you. Our journey to the final was challenging, but I don’t fault South Africa for taking a different path.'

Addressing the unpredictability of the match, Cummins noted, 'There are many unknowns. We haven’t faced them much, but to reach the final, you need to be well-rounded. Their bowling has always been impressive, and that remains true now.'

Despite Australia's extensive experience in red-ball cricket, Cummins recognizes the threat posed by South Africa's pace attack. He understands the importance of not underestimating the Proteas, especially on a pitch like Lord's, where conditions can shift rapidly.

With both teams returning to red-ball cricket after a break of over three months, the upcoming match promises to deliver an exciting contest in front of a full-capacity crowd in London.