Prizemoney for World Test Championship final at Lord’s doubled

Taking the mantle as the world’s best Test team is motivation for Australia to win the World Test Championship final, but a massive new carrot has been dangled.

Australian players have been given an extra 5.6 million reasons to win the World Test Championship final after prizemoney for the Lord’s showdown against South Africa was doubled.

When captain Pat Cummins collected the mace after toppling India in 2023, Australia’s players shared just under $2.5m in prizemoney.

But as the ICC looks to “prioritise Test cricket”, the cash pool on offer for both the winner and runner-up in 2025 has grown significantly.

The winners will get $5.6m and the runner-up will receive $3.2m.

“The increase in prizemoney exhibits the ICC’s efforts to prioritise Test cricket as it looks to build on the momentum of the first three cycles of the nine-team competition,” the ICC said in a statement.

Australia is no stranger to being the world’s best. Picture: Ryan Pierse-ICC/ICC via Getty Images

Even India, who finished third on the table, will receive more than $2m, with every country that finished in the top six receiving more than $1m.

“We are enormously proud to have the opportunity to defend the World Test Championship, especially at Lord’s,” Australian captain Pat Cummins said.

“It’s a testament to all those involved across the past two years who have worked incredibly hard to reach the final, which is a great honour for all of us.

“We very much look forward to getting together again in England in just a few weeks’ time and the challenge South Africa will present at the home of cricket.”

Australia this week named a 15-player squad for the match that begins on June 11.

The fitness of key fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who has been dealing with a shoulder niggle in India, and decisions around who will open the batting with Usman Khawaja loom as the major issues for the Australians.

“That’ll become clearer once we get to get to the UK and get eyes on those fast bowlers that have been playing in India,” selection chief George Bailey said this week.

“They’re all working pretty hard behind the scenes to make sure they start to ramp up their loads a little bit, but it will be a slightly different preparation.”

South Africa topped the WTC table in this cycle, winning eight of 12 Tests.

Australia earnt a place after taking down India 3-1 last summer.

Originally published as Prizemoney for World Test Championship final at Lord’s doubled