Australia Suffer first defeat in a final in 15 years, as Hazlewood, Starc’s streak end

Following their defeat to South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s, Australia’s 15-year winning streak has come to an end.

Australia entered the final as both defending champions and heavy favourites, having not lost a final in 15 years. They last lost an ICC Final against England in Barbados in the 2010 T20WC, but have since won four consecutive finals: the 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cups, the 2021 T20WC, and the 2023 World Test Championship Final.

However, the Proteas have finally put an end to that trend.

Two more exceptional streaks have also ended. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc have both lost in the final of a major tournament for the first time in their careers.

The two quick bowlers had previously won every major final they had contested, including franchise competitions. Most recently, Hazlewood won the IPL 2025 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). However, that fairly niche streak has suddenly come to an end.

The 13-year record has come to an end, with Hazlewood and Starc’s first major finals coming in 2012: the 2012 BBL Final for Starc and the 2012 CLT20 Final for Hazlewood (where both participated).