The International Cricket Council organizes different tournaments throughout the year. The tournaments organized by ICC are- World Test Championship, World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy. The WTC final is taking place on the 18th of June between India and New Zealand in the Southampton cricket stadium. The World Cup takes place after every four years, both the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy is played every 2 years. As the latest ICC event WTC final comes up, let's see the list of WTC final: ICC event winners since 2000.

Read also: WTC Final: IND vs NZ All Players Stats, Records In England, WTC and against each other

1. 2000- Champions Trophy- New Zealand

New Zealand and India played the final of Champions Trophy 2000 on 15th October. The winner of the final was New Zealand. This win was their first-ever win in an ICC tournament.

2. 2002- Champions Trophy- India- Sri Lanka

The final match of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy was played between India and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was the first to bat in the finals. India could only bat two overs because the match had to stop due to rain. Therefore, both the teams shared the Champions Trophy.

3. 2003- World Cup- Australia

The 2003 World Cup final was played between Australia India at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg. Australia won the world cup for the third time by defeating India.

Read also: WTC stats: Most Runs in World Test Championship

4. 2004- Champions Trophy-West Indies

The ICC Champions Trophy 2004 final was played between England and West Indies. West Indies became the winner by defeating England.

5. 2006- Champions Trophy- Australia

On 5th November 2006, the ICC Champions Trophy was played between West Indies and Australia at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. Australia was the winner of the Champions Trophy final. Chris Gayle became the Player of the Series for his outstanding performance.

6. 2007- World Cup- Australia

Australia won the world cup for the 4th time on 28 April 2007 at the Kensington Oval, Barbados. The final was played between Australia and Sri Lanka and Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 53 runs.

Read also: WTC Final: Photos from India's first intra-squad match

7. 2007- T20 World Cup- India

The 2007 ICC World T20 final was played between India and Pakistan. India defeated Pakistan by 5 runs at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Gautam Gambhir from India scored 75 runs which was the highest by an Indian player in that match.

8. 2009- Champions Trophy- Australia

Australia won the final of the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy on 5th October 2009 at the SuperSport Park, Centurion. The final was played between Australia and New Zealand.

9. 2009- T20 World Cup- Pakistan

On 21st june 2009, Pakistan won the T20 final. The match was played between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Lord's. The Man of the Match was Shahid Afridi from Pakistan and Man of the Series was Tillakaratne Dilshan from Sri Lanka.

Read also: India vs Sri Lanka: India's Squad for Sri Lanka Tour

10. 2010- T20 World Cup- England

Australia and England played the 2010 T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. England became the winner of the T20 world cup final and the Man of the Match was awarded to Craig Kieswetter of England.

11. 2011- World Cup- India

After 28 years India won the World Cup final on 2nd April 2011 for the 2nd time. India and Sri Lanka played the finals at the Wankhede Stadium Mumbai. The former captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, received the Man of the Match award for his extraordinary 91 runs. Yuvraj Singh became the Man of the Series.

Read also: Most player of the series winners in test cricket history

12. 2012- T20 World Cup- West Indies

West Indies won the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup on 7th October 2012. West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by 36 runs to win the final.

13. 2013- Champions Trophy- India

On 23rd June 2013, India won the ICC Champions Trophy final by defeating England at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Ravindra Jadeja became the Man of the Match and Shikhar Dhawan became the Man of the Series.

14. 2014- T20 World Cup- Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka defeated India and won the 2014 T20 world cup final on 6th April. Virat Kohli became the man of the tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka.

15. 2015- World Cup- Australia

Australia and New Zealand were the final teams to play the final of the 2015 cricket World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket ground. Australia defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets and won the World Cup for the fifth time.

16. 2016- T20 World Cup- West Indies

West Indies faced England on the night of the T20 World Cup final in Eden Gardens Kolkata. West Indies defeated England by 4 wickets to win the final.

17. 2017- Champions Trophy- Pakistan

On 18 June 2017 Pakistan won the ICC Champions Trophy against India at The Oval in London. Fakhar Zaman was awarded the man of the match.

18. 2019- World Cup- England

The 2019 world cup final between England in New Zealand is definitely one of the most interesting World Cup matches in cricket history. Both the teams scored 241 and had a tie so they ended up playing in a super over. Once again it was a tie between the two teams when both the teams scored 15 runs. The superior number of boundaries decided the winner of the match. And the team members of England hit the most boundaries and therefore they were the winner of the 2019 World Cup.

19. 2021- World Test Championship- India vs New Zealand

The World Test Championship final will start from 18 June and will continue till 22nd June between India and New Zealand in Southampton.

The World Test Championship 2023-25 Final isn't just another game for the Proteas; it is an opportunity for them to get rid of the "chokers" label that the team has long carried from past failures in big tournaments.

Can South Africa escape the "chokers" tag in the WTC Final against Australia? Let's check out the odds and what the numbers say about their fight for redemption.

The weight of the tag: Why "chokers"?

South Africa carries a unique burden of the "chokers" tag, which is not merely a casual insult, but a deep-seated reputation earned through a series of painful failures. Despite having world-class talent and often dominating in the group stages, they have a history of stumbling when the stakes are highest.

Here's some of the most significant losses in crucial stages, which originated the "chokers" tag:

1. 1992 World Cup Semi-final vs. England

South Africa, needing 22 runs off 13 balls, faced a controversial rain rule that dramatically revised their target to an impossible 22 runs off just one ball.

While not a "choke" in the traditional sense, but this marked their first major semi-final heartbreak.

2. 1999 World Cup Semi-final vs. Australia

South Africa needed just 1 run to win off 4 balls, while their explosive batsman Lance Klusener was on strike. However, a horrible mix-up led to the run-out of Allan Donald and the match ended in a tie.

Australia made it to the finals eventually for having better net run rate.

3. 2003 World Cup group stage exit vs. Sri Lanka

SA miscalculated the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) target which led to their elimination from the tournament. Mark Boucher, believing they have reached the par score to win, blocked the last ball of an over, after which heavy rain stopped the game.

They were, in fact, just 1 run short of the D/L par score, resulting in a tie as well as their elimination.

Read Also: Highest wicket-takers in WTC 2023-25

4. 2011 World Cup Quarter-final vs. New Zealand

They collapsed from 108/2 while chasing 222 runs and lost 8 wickets for 64 runs in a shocking defeat. They were bowled out for 172 runs.

5. 2015 World Cup Semi-final vs. New Zealand

Dropped crucial catches while defending in the second half and was was unable to play under pressure in the final overs. Everything let to a dramatic last-ball loss.

6. 2022 T20 World Cup Super 12 stage vs. Netherlands

South Africa needed a win to secure a semi-final spot in the tournament. Despite being strong favourites, they failed to chase a decent target, suffering a 13-run defeat.

7. 2023 World Cup Semi-final vs. Australia

South Africa found themselves in a familiar pattern of faltering under pressure while defending 212 runs. Despite great efforts, they could not make it and lost by 3 wickets.

8. 2024 T20 World Cup Final vs. India

While they did reach the finals after breaking their semi-final curse, they ultimately lost to India by 7 runs. Despite being in a good position at one stage, they could not maintain the required run rate in the final overs due to right bowling from Indian bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.

Read Also: ICC increase prize money for WTC 2023-25: Here is how much the teams would get

South Africa vs Australia Head-to-Head in tests: What are the odds?

Australia has the upper hand in terms of past records when the two sides met. Here's what the head-to-head stats in test cricket looks like:

Read Also: WTC Final: Australia and South Africa announce their squads

Mark Boucher's perspective ahead of WTC Final:

As a former South African wicket-keeper batsman and head coach, Mark Boucher understands the immense pressure associated with their cricket history. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, he provided an insight about the mindset and the game.

Here's what he said:

"We're playing for a trophy, so I guess a lot of people are saying no [we can't win] but I think it's a different feel in Test match cricket. It's played over a longer period of time and you've just got to win big moments in the game as well. Yes, there will be that tag [chokers] that gets thrown our way until we win a trophy. You're not going to get rid of the tag. Is it deserving on these youngsters coming through? No, it's almost like they're carrying the burden of what happened in previous years, which is always going to be tough on them but they're the ones in control of their futures at the moment."

He also added: "If we win it, I think then that could be the turnaround for Test cricket in our country."

Read Also: Most runs in WTC 2023-25 | Updated

WTC 2023-25 Final: What this win would mean for South Africa

For South Africa, winning the WTC final would be breaking free of the "chokers" tag that has haunted them for decades. This win would also live upto the nation's expectations, inspire future generations, and earn them global respect as true champions.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has raised the prize money for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, announcing a massive $3.6 million prize for the winners of the upcoming final between Australia and South Africa, set to take place at Lord’s from June 11-15.

This record-breaking purse, more than double the $1.6 million awarded to previous champions New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023), underlines the ICC’s commitment to elevating Test cricket’s prestige and importance.

The losing finalists will also walk away with a hefty $2.1 million, surpassing the prize money awarded to past winners. This significant financial boost reflects the ICC’s push to sustain the momentum of the nine-team competition, now in its third thrilling cycle.

Read Also | Highest wicket-takers in WTC 2023-25

WTC Final Details

The stage is set for a clash of titans at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, hosting its first-ever WTC Final. South Africa, buoyed by commanding 2-0 home series wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, clinched their spot with 69.44 percentage points.

Defending champions Australia, finishing with 67.54 points, are eager to retain the Test Mace in what promises to be a fiercely contested battle.

Read Also | Fav four in Test cricket: Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith stats in Tests

ICC Chair Jay Shah expressed his excitement, stating, “The third cycle of the World Test Championship has been captivating, with the finalists decided only in the closing stages. Australia and South Africa will deliver a fitting celebration of Test cricket at Lord’s, and I’m confident fans worldwide will witness top-class action.”

A battle of wills, minds and hearts in the Ultimate Test 👊

The #WTC25 Final at Lord's is upon us 🏟 pic.twitter.com/JsNXpmgOXD

— ICC (@ICC) May 15, 2025

What did the captains say?

Australian captain Pat Cummins, reflecting on the honour of defending their title, said, “Playing at Lord’s for the World Test Championship is a proud moment for us. South Africa will bring a tough challenge, and we’re ready to give it our all at the home of cricket.”

South Africa’s Temba Bavuma echoed the sentiment, emphasising the significance of the occasion. “Reaching the WTC Final is a huge opportunity to win an ICC title. Lord’s is the perfect stage, and we’re determined to put our best foot forward against Australia.”

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Prize Money Breakdown

The increased prize money extends beyond the finalists, with the full breakdown as follows:

• Winner: $3,600,000

• Runners-up: $2,160,000

• Third (India): $1,440,000

• Fourth (New Zealand): $1,200,000

• Fifth (England): $960,000

• Sixth (Sri Lanka): $840,000

• Seventh (Bangladesh): $720,000

• Eighth (West Indies): $600,000

• Ninth (Pakistan): $480,000

World Test Championship (WTC) finalist South Africa and Australia have announced their squad. The WTC Final match will be played at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground on June 11.

Also Read: Fav four in Test cricket: Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith stats in Tests

Ngidi back in Proteas squad

The Proteas have been strengthened by the return of Lungi Ngidi, who was out of action for most of the domestic summer season due to a back injury. Ngidi was part of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2025.

South Africa has made only two changes in its team from the last Test series against Pakistan. Ngidi has been included in place of young player Kwena Maphaka, while top order batsman Matthew Breetzke has not been included.

Proteas Men’s head coach Shukri Conrad has today announced the 15-player squad for the highly anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, taking place from 11 – 15 June at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

Temba Bavuma will lead the side, with the pace… pic.twitter.com/e76WCrd2zl

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) May 13, 2025

Bavuma to lead the team

Temba Bavuma will lead the team. He helped South Africa finish first in the WTC standings. The team won many games under his captaincy. He has done well as a leader.

The top-order batters include Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, and Ryan Rickelton. These players have scored runs in recent matches. They can handle tough bowling attacks.

David Bedingham and Tristan Stubbs are part of the middle-order. They are in good form. Bavuma also bats in the middle order. Kyle Verreynne will keep wickets. He is quick and can score runs fast.

Strong bowling attack

South Africa’s bowling attack is strong. Kagiso Rabada is their top pacer. He is back in the team. The fast bowler had a one-month break due to a ban. He completed a rehab program. Now, he can play again.

Lungi Ngidi joins Rabada. Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, and Dane Paterson complete the pace unit. All can bowl fast and take wickets.

Keshav Maharaj leads the spin group. Senuran Muthusamy is the second spinner. They both have good control and experience.

Cameron Green return to Australian squad

Earlier, defending champion Australia also announced its squad today for WTC Final. The Kangaroo team has almost the same members who played against India and Sri Lanka earlier this year. This same Australian team will play a three-match Test series in the West Indies starting June 25.

Cameron Green's return to the Test squad after back surgery also has been confirmed, with spinner Matt Kuhnemann also included. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood missed Australia's most recent Test series in Sri Lanka due to injury, while Green is in line to make his first Test appearance in more than 12 months after recovering from back surgery.

Big names return in Australia's squad for next month's World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord's 👊

More on their squad for the #WTC25 decider 👉 https://t.co/v12jK8PQ22 pic.twitter.com/1vbXm4FmRi

— ICC (@ICC) May 13, 2025

Australia's squad full of experience

Australia's squad is full of experience and at full strength for the Proteas' clash with Cummins joined by fellow quicks Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Hazlewood in a 15-player squad that also has two spinning options in Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann.

Meanwhile, teenager Sam Konstas is also included, with Green and fellow all-rounder Beau Webster battling it out with key batters Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head and Josh Inglis for a spot in the XI.

On the other hand, Inglis can provide support for first-choice keeper Alex Carey, while Brendan Doggett will travel with the squad as a reserve.

Also Read: IPL 2025 to resume from 17th May: Here is the revised schedule

WTC Final | Squads

Australia

Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster. 

Travelling Reserve: Brendan Dogget

South Africa

Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy.

Team India seems to be eliminated from the World Test Championship final. At present, South Africa and Australia are at the first and second positions respectively in the points table. South Africa recently whitewashed Sri Lanka in the 2-match Test series on home soil, after which they achieved the top position in the points table.

Also Read: Race to WTC 25 Final: Here is what India need to do to qualify for World Test Championship final

Team India's position is at stake as South Africa reaches the top. From here, South Africa needs only one more win to make it to the finals. At the same time, Australia will need about three wins to get a place in the finals. So let us know what each team will need in this situation to make it to the WTC final.

WTC Points Table

Australia's path to WTC final

• 4-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 2-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need to win at least one Test against Sri Lanka
• 2-3 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need to win 2-0 against Sri Lanka

Australia, standing at second position with 60.71 percent, have three home Tests against India and two away Tests in Sri Lanka remaining. They need two wins from their three Tests against India to secure a place in the final. 

Even if Australia loses both Tests in Sri Lanka, a 3-2 series win against India would leave them at 55.26 percent, higher than India's 53.51 percent and Sri Lanka's 53.85 percent. If Australia loses 2-3, India would move up to 58.77 percent, and Australia would then need to win both Tests in Sri Lanka to surpass India. 

Alternatively, they would have to hope that South Africa manages no more than one draw against Pakistan, leaving South Africa at 55.56%, a mark Australia can surpass with a win and a draw in Sri Lanka.

India's path to WTC final

• 4-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need Sri Lanka to draw at least one of their remaining matches against Australia
• 2-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need Sri Lanka to win series against Australia 1-0 or 2-0 to qualify

The Indian team has lost 4 of the last 5 tests. At present, India is at third position in the points table with 57.290 percent. 

From here, Team India will have to achieve at least two wins in the remaining three Tests against Australia to reach the finals without depending on the results of other teams. Apart from this, they will have to get a test drawn. In this situation, even Australia's 2-0 victory against Sri Lanka will not cause any trouble.

If the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ends 2-2 and both the Australia-Sri Lanka Tests are drawn, then India and Australia will be tied at 55.26%. In this situation, Team India will progress in terms of winning more series.

Also Read: Is it the end of Rohit-Kohli? How can India qualify for WTC final? Who else whitewashed India at home?

South Africa's path to WTC final

• Win one of their remaining two Tests against Pakistan

South Africa, leading the table with a percentage of 63.33, has two home matches against Pakistan remaining. Their recent 2-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka has put them in a strong position. 

To secure a spot in the final, South Africa needs to win just one of their upcoming Tests against Pakistan. A 1-1 series result would leave them at 61.11 percent, with only India or Australia in a position to overtake them.

Sri Lanka's path to WTC final

• Win both remaining Tests against Australia and have other results go their way

Sri Lanka, currently at 45.45 percent, has two home matches against Australia left. Even if they win both Tests, they would only reach 53.85 percent, and would then be dependent on other results. 

South Africa and one of India or Australia can surpass this percentage. For both teams to finish below 53.85 percent, Australia would need to win their series against India 2-1 with two draws, and South Africa would have to lose both Tests against Pakistan.

Is it the end of Rohit-Kohli? How can India qualify for the WTC final? Who else whitewashed India at home? Here are all the answers you need as Tom Latham's New Zealand defeated India by 3-0 in the recently concluded series. 

First of all, here are all the records which were made and shattered in the India vs New Zealand series. 

• This is the first time New Zealand won a test series in India.
• This is the first time since 2000 that India have been whitewashed in a home test series.
• New Zealand have become the fourth country to whitewash India in a three or more-match home test series alongside Australia, England and West Indies.
• This was the fourth time India were unable to chase down a total below 200 in a test match.

When was the last time India were whitewashed in a home test series?

South Africa were the last team who were able to whitewash India in a home test series in 200. At that time, Sachin Tendulkar was the captain of the team and India were going through a tough time with the match-fixing scandal around Mohhamed Azharuddin and a few other cricketers. 

South Africa defeated India in the first test in Mumbai and then continued their domination in Chennai in the second test as well.

Is it the end of the road for Rohit-Kohli?

With the form both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shown in the India vs New Zealand test series, it is very likely that both the Indian batters have played their last test series at home. India will play their next home test series in October next year and with the backup players performing, it would be hard for them to keep their place in the team.

Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been waiting for a long time and it is time now that the team management grooms these top-order batters for test cricket. 

Read Also | Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players | Test cricket stats

How can India qualify for the WTC Final?

As per the current WTC points table, six teams still can qualify for the World Test Championship Final in 2025. India will have to beat Australia by 4-0 or 5-0 to be able to qualify for the final. If they lose any test in Australia, teams like Sri Lanka, South Africa or New Zealand will get the upper hand in qualifying for the final alongside Australia.