Australia Concludes WTC 2023-25 Cycle

Australia Concludes WTC 2023-25 Cycle with Sri Lanka Sweep

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Australia Concludes WTC 2023-25 Cycle: The 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) league stage concluded with Australia sealing a commanding 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka in Galle, cementing their place in the final against South Africa.

The Pat Cummins-led side showcased their prowess in subcontinental conditions, marking their first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 2011. Here’s a breakdown of the final standings, key moments, and what lies ahead for teams.

Australia’s Clinical Performance in the Second Test

Sri Lanka’s First Innings (257):
The hosts started strong but collapsed from 93/1 to 127/5, with Dinesh Chandimal (74) and Kusal Mendis (85*) anchoring the innings. Australia’s spin duo Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann claimed three wickets each, supported by Mitchell Starc’s lower-order breakthroughs in the innings.

Australia’s Dominant Reply (414):
After early setbacks, Steve Smith (131) and Alex Carey (156) orchestrated a 228-run partnership, propelling Australia to a 157-run lead. Smith notched his 36th Test century in the match, surpassing Allan Border’s record for the most Test tons by an Australian in Asia (7)(Australia Concludes WTC 2023-25 Cycle).

Sri Lanka’s Collapse (231):
Angelo Mathews (76) and Mendis (50) fought valiantly, but Lyon (4/84) and Kuhnemann (4/63) dismantled the batting order. Sri Lanka’s 74-run lead set Australia a modest 75-run target, which they chased down in 17.4 overs with minimal fuss.

Final WTC 2023-25 Standings

  1. South Africa (69.44% PCT) – Topped the table with 8 wins in 12 Tests.
  2. Australia (67.54% PCT) – Defending champions secured 13 wins but faced a 10-point penalty.
  3. India (50.00% PCT) – Finished third after a 3-1 series loss to Australia.
  4. New Zealand (48.21% PCT) – Struggled in away conditions.
  5. England (43.18% PCT) – Plagued by 22 penalty points.
  6. Sri Lanka (38.46% PCT) – Slumped after twin whitewashes.
  7. Bangladesh (31.25% PCT)
  8. West Indies (28.21% PCT)
  9. Pakistan (27.98% PCT) – Finished last despite five wins.

Road to the WTC Final

Australia secured their spot in the final after a 3-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph over India in January 2025. South Africa, meanwhile, dominated with back-to-back home series sweeps against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Both teams will clash at Lord’s from June 11–15, 2025, in a bid to claim the Test mace.

Key Players to Watch:

  • Australia: Steve Smith (1,247 runs in the cycle) and Nathan Lyon (58 wickets).
  • South Africa: Kagiso Rabada (49 wickets) and Dean Elgar (1,102 runs).

Sri Lanka’s Farewell to Dimuth Karunaratne

The series marked the end of former Sri Lanka’s captain Dimuth Karunaratne’s Test career. The opener, who retired after his 100th Test, managed 14 runs in his final innings but leaves a legacy of 6,500+ runs and 16 centuries.

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Looking Ahead: Challenges for Test Cricket

The WTC’s conclusion reignites debates about the format’s future. While Australia and South Africa’s dominance underscores the value of consistent performances, teams like Pakistan and West Indies face urgent reforms. India’s middling finish (50% PCT) also highlights the need for better overseas strategies.

Final Thought:
Australia’s ruthless efficiency and South Africa’s resilience set the stage for a historic Lord’s showdown. As the Test arena evolves, the WTC final promises to be a celebration of red-ball cricket’s enduring appeal (Australia Concludes WTC 2023-25 Cycle).

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