WTC 2025 Final poised for shared glory: ICC mace to be split if tied

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 Final, held at Lord's between Australia and South Africa, is set to be a historic encounter with unique rules ensuring a fair outcome.

The match includes a Reserve Day on June 16, allowing up to 90 overs of additional play if weather or other delays impact the scheduled sessions. This provision was previously used in the 2021 Final between India and New Zealand.

A notable feature of this final is the ICC's decision to split the ICC mace if the match ends in a tie or draw after all scheduled play, declaring both teams as joint winners. This ensures shared glory in what promises to be a fiercely contested battle.

Key players to watch include South Africa's Kagiso Rabada, who recently achieved a milestone of 50 wickets against Australia in Test cricket and boasts the best strike rate among bowlers with 50+ wickets against Australia. Rabada also became only the second bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a WTC Final, following Kyle Jamieson in 2021.

Australia's Mitchell Starc holds the record for the most wickets by a bowler in ICC finals, surpassing India's Mohammed Shami, adding further intrigue to the bowling duel.

The final promises intense competition, with both teams eager to claim the prestigious title outright or share it in a rare joint victory.

"ICC mace will be shared if WTC 2025 Final is drawn or tied after the scheduled end of the match. Both Australia and South Africa will be declared as joint winners."
"WTC 2025 Final has a provision for Reserve Day on June 16. If loss of play cannot be made up in extended sessions then play will extend to June 16."
"Rabada produced figures of 5/51 on Day 1 of the WTC final, completing 50 wickets against Australia in Test cricket."
"Australia speedster Mitchell Starc now holds the record of most wickets by a bowler in ICC finals."

The WTC 2025 Final between Australia and South Africa at Lord's includes a Reserve Day and a unique provision: if the match ends in a tie or draw, the ICC mace will be shared, declaring both teams joint winners. Rabada and Starc are key players to watch in this historic clash.