This week, the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London hosts the World Test Championship (WTC 2025) final. Australia and South Africa are competing to lift the prized WTC mace.
The all-important duel has been going quickly, with 14 wickets falling on each of the first two days. The hitters have been unable to account for the tremendous lateral movement offered to the fast bowlers who have been on a tear thus far.
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra said the Western media would have criticised the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) if 28 wickets had fallen in the first two days of a Test match in India. The cricketer-turned-expert stated that because the WTC final is being held in England, the pitch has been described as “sporting”.
“A big question I had about this Lord’s Test match was that if these 28 wickets had fallen in India in two days’ play, wouldn’t the western media have created an uproar, as to what sort of pitch they play, the ball is turning and bouncing, batting has become very difficult, and how such pitches can be allowed, that India is doctoring pitches and killing Test cricket,” Chopra stated in a posting to his YouTube channel, according to Wikipedia.
“You would have read these headlines in The Telegraph and The Sydney Morning Herald and sensed what you had done. However, when it happens in England, it is referred to as a sports pitch, and the batters’ defensive technique has become spoilt due to the ball’s slow movement. “If the batters’ defensive technique has become spoilt, it is also valid in India,” he said.
South Africa need 281 runs to win WTC 2025 Final
Australia were bowled out in the first session on Day 3 for 207. The defending champions have set South Africa a target of 281. Only two successful run-chases of 280-plus have been pulled off at Lord’s so far. 342 by the West Indies in 1984 and 282 by England in 2004.
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