Charles Esther
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has revealed the Proteas XI for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The match is set to begin on Wednesday, June 11, at Lord’s cricket ground.
The first ball will be bowled at 11:30 AM South African time.
This is South Africa’s first appearance in a WTC final, and Bavuma leads a strong, balanced team.
The squad offers multiple options across batting, bowling, and fielding departments.
Key Players in the Batting Line-Up
Ryan Rickelton leads the batting order and has been South Africa’s top scorer during the 2023/25 WTC cycle.
Captain Temba Bavuma is close behind Rickelton in the scoring charts.
Other notable batsmen include Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs, both in fine form.
The batting line-up also includes Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, and Kyle Verreynne as wicketkeeper.
Mulder’s role at number three has been confirmed after recent Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Confidence in Wiaan Mulder’s Role
Bavuma expressed confidence in Mulder’s ability to handle the number three spot.
He mentioned that Mulder is still young but has grown considerably over the past two years.
Bavuma emphasized the importance of backing Mulder to build his confidence.
He believes Mulder can thrive under pressure with the team’s full support.
The captain wants Mulder to focus on playing his natural game during the final.
The Bowling Attack and Tactical Choices
Keshav Maharaj will be the team’s lone full-time spinner in the WTC final.
The pace attack features Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi.
Although Dane Paterson had good form recently, Ngidi was chosen for tactical reasons.
Bavuma explained that Ngidi’s extra pace and height add valuable variety to the bowling line-up.
Ngidi also has more experience playing at Lord’s, which factored into the decision.
The captain acknowledged the difficulty in leaving out Paterson but believes Ngidi complements the team better.
Mulder’s all-round skills also offer similar benefits to Paterson’s bowling.
South Africa’s Journey to the WTC Final
South Africa topped the ICC World Test Championship 2023/25 standings to secure their place in the final.
They narrowly edged out the defending champions to book their spot in the Ultimate Test.
The Proteas will face a strong Australian side at Lord’s, promising a thrilling contest.
Looking Ahead to the Final
Fans and experts alike will be eager to see if Temba Bavuma and his team can claim the championship title.
South Africa’s well-rounded squad blends youth, experience, and tactical flexibility.
The captain’s decisions around player selection demonstrate trust in the team’s abilities under pressure.
This final is a historic moment for South African cricket and its fans worldwide.
