WTC 2025 Final: A Statistical Showdown Between Steve Smith and Temba Bavuma

Exciting Clash at Lord's

The ICC World Test Championship 2025 final is set to take place at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, featuring a thrilling matchup between Australia and South Africa. All eyes will be on South African captain Temba Bavuma and former Australian captain Steve Smith, both of whom have played pivotal roles in their teams throughout this WTC cycle. Under Bavuma's leadership, South Africa has demonstrated remarkable form, winning seven consecutive matches to secure their spot in the final. The performance of these two seasoned batsmen could very well determine the outcome of this high-stakes encounter.

Steve Smith's Impressive Test Record

Steve Smith has had a stellar Test career, amassing 10,271 runs across 206 innings in 116 matches, boasting an impressive average of 56.74. His record includes 36 centuries and 41 half-centuries, solidifying his status as one of Australia's finest Test batsmen. Against South Africa, Smith has played 13 Tests, scoring 854 runs in 21 innings with an average of 44.94, including 2 centuries and 4 fifties. In the World Test Championship alone, he has accumulated 4,072 runs in 89 innings over 53 matches, averaging 50.90 with 13 hundreds and 17 fifties.

Temba Bavuma's Key Contributions

Conversely, Temba Bavuma, while having played fewer Tests, remains a crucial figure in the South African lineup. He has participated in 63 Test matches, scoring 3,606 runs in 108 innings at an average of 37.95, which includes 4 centuries and 24 half-centuries. Bavuma has faced Australia in 9 matches, accumulating 483 runs in 15 innings with an average of 40.25, though he is yet to score a century against them, with his highest score being 95 not out. In the World Test Championship, he has tallied 1,890 runs in 49 innings across 28 matches, averaging 43.95 with 3 centuries and 11 fifties, making him the second-highest run-scorer from Africa in the tournament.