Top Contenders for POTM in WTC Final Clash between Australia and South Africa

The World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle has been filled with twists and turns, as Australia and South Africa came out on top of the table. With 69.44 PCT, the Proteas bagged the top spot in the standings, and Australia stood at the 2nd spot, with 67.54 PCT in 19 matches. Now, the big question remains whether South Africa will end its trophy jinx or will Pat Cummins help Australia to get another title.

The Australian team has already won the previous World Test Championship cycle, defeating India in the finals in 2023. On the other hand, it will be for the very first time in three campaigns that South Africa will be playing in the finals of the World Test Championship cycle. Both teams have always been involved in some fierce rivalries, with players from both sides coming out on top.

The final clash between Australia and South Africa will be played from 11 June to 15 June, as Temba Bavuma aims for the first Test title for his team. On the other hand, Pat Cummins will also be eager to prove the worth of his Australian side once again, as his team has already defeated India and Sri Lanka in the last two series. Let’s take a look at the players who are likely to get the Man of the Match award in the ultimate WTC final clash.

Kagiso Rabada

A name that haunts the Australian strikers to date is the Proteas bowler, Kagiso Rabada. Whether it is the 2018 Test series or World Cup matches, Rabada has been the star performer for the team and dominated the Aussie batsmen with ease. Playing just 10 matches for South Africa in the current WTC cycle, he remains the team’s leading wicket-taker with 47 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 19.97 and an economy rate of 3.16 runs per over.

Not only does Rabada hold impressive stats in the current World Test Championship cycle, but he also holds amazing records against Australia. Having played 10 matches against Australia in Tests, he has taken a massive total of 49 wickets at an average of 23.08, and an economy rate of 3.46 runs per over. With the English conditions favouring the pacers more, Rabada is likely to win the POTM award.

Pat Cummins

The Australian captain, or maybe the best captain in the ICC tournaments lately, Pat Cummins, will be marking his second appearance in the World Test Championship final. He surely has played a crucial role for the Australian team and is likely to get the advantage of the pacer-friendly conditions in England. Cummins has dominated the wicket-taking charts of the current cycle, with 73 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 24.54 and an economy of 3.38.

If he can take 5 wickets in the final match, he will be able to overtake Jasprit Bumrah and finish the WTC cycle as the leading wicket-taker. Against South Africa, he has taken 41 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 19.31 and an economy rate of 2.77 runs per over. Moreover, in the English conditions, Cummins has secured 51 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 27.17, and an economy rate of 3.44. The captain will now again be looking forward to leading his team from the front.

Marco Jansen

Marco Jansen has been one of the most talented youngsters present in the South African line-up for the WTC final clash. Standing at a massive height of 2.06 metres, Jansen can bring in some good variations to his line and length, which is enough to trouble the batsmen. Till now, he has played 17 Test matches and taken 73 wickets at an average of 21.76, and an economy rate of 3.48 runs per over.

However, his stats against Australia have not been favourable, with Jansen taking 4 wickets in 3 matches at an average of 50 and an economy rate of 3.22 runs per over. The English bowling conditions will surely help out the pacer to a great extent, as he holds 9 wickets in 2 matches in England, at an average of 13.11 and an economy rate of 3.74 runs per over. Also, Jansen holds 29 wickets in just 6 matches in the current WTC cycle, at an average of 20.82 and an economy of 3.76.

Travis Head

The man for the big stages, Travis Head, will surely be among the top contenders to win the POTM award in the final match against South Africa. Although his current form has not been good, Head still holds the POTM award from the previous WTC final against India, where he scored 163 and 18 runs in both innings. In the current WTC cycle, Head has scored 1177 runs in 19 matches at an average of 35.66, with 3 centuries and 5 half-centuries.

Travis Head also holds decent records against the Proteas in Tests, scoring 213 runs in 3 matches at an average of 53.25, and a strike rate of 100.94, along with 3 half-centuries. His records in England are also favourable, as Head has scored 734 runs in 10 matches at an average of 38.63, with one century and 4 half-centuries. He will surely be looking forward to giving his best in the upcoming final match against South Africa.

Aiden Markram

One of the in-form batters for the South African team as they prepare for the match against Australia remains Aiden Markram. He has shown excellent form over the last few games, playing a crucial role in the top order of the team, making him a close contender for the POTM award. In the current World Test Championship cycle, Markram has scored 572 runs in 10 matches at an average of 33.64, with one century and three half-centuries.

What makes him a threat to the Aussie bowlers is his stats against Australia in Tests, where Markram has played 4 matches and scored an impressive total of 480 runs at an average of 60, with 2 centuries and one half-century. But his stats in England could be an obstacle, as he has scored 36 runs only in 2 matches at an average of 12, and a strike rate of 50.

Cameron Green

Marking his return to the international format, Cameron Green shall also not be ignored as a POTM contender in the final match. Green has contributed to the Australian line-up with both bat and ball, thanks to his impressive skills. In the current WTC cycle, he has scored 405 runs in 7 matches at an average of 36.81 with a century and also took 10 wickets at an average of 39 and an economy rate of 4.44.

His stats against South Africa are amazing, with Green scoring 69 runs in 3 innings, being not out in two of them. Along with that, he has also taken 5 wickets in 2 matches against the Proteas in Test, at an average of 9.40, and an economy of 3.43. His bowling stats in England are up to the mark, with 7 wickets in 4 matches at an average of 41.71 and an economy of 4.65 runs per over. But his batting stats in England remain a concern, with 134 runs in 4 matches at an average of 19.14.

Although these players remain the top picks for the POTM award in the finals, which one of them do you think is likely to win the award? This will help his team to win the WTC final 2025, played at Lord’s in London.