Mitchell Starc and Kagiso Rabada Gear Up for WTC Final Showdown at Lord's
Anticipation Builds for WTC Final
As Australia prepares to face South Africa in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, pacer Mitchell Starc expressed that successfully defending the mace at Lord's would be a remarkable achievement and a significant reward for the team's dedication over the years.
Australia aims to secure back-to-back WTC titles, further enhancing their storied cricket legacy. In contrast, South Africa is on the hunt for their first major ICC trophy as both teams get ready for the highly anticipated 'Ultimate Test' at Lord's, commencing Wednesday.
In an interview with Star Sports, Starc remarked, 'This is an opportunity to go back-to-back. Although the World Test Championship is a relatively new format, it has been a meaningful journey for us. We missed the final in the first cycle but were fortunate to clinch it the second time.'
He added, 'Having a core group of players from the 2023 final still intact makes this opportunity at Lord's even more special. Winning the Mace again would be a tremendous reward for all the hard work this group has put in over the years.'
Australia's Recent Success
The 2020s have proven to be a remarkable decade for Australia, having won the T20 World Cup in 2021, the WTC title in 2023, retained the Ashes against England, and triumphed in the ICC Cricket World Cup by defeating a formidable Indian team. These victories highlight their dominance across all formats, with the exception of the 2021 T20 World Cup, all achieved under the leadership of Pat Cummins.
South Africa's Strategy
On the other side, South Africa's pace leader Kagiso Rabada discussed their strategic preparations and the challenges of competing at a neutral venue. 'It's a completely neutral ground, making it difficult to predict outcomes. However, when facing top players in these conditions, getting them out is our primary goal,' Rabada stated. 'We have devised specific plans for each of their batsmen, but ultimately, it comes down to keeping things straightforward—that's the essence of this game.'