Test cricket’s greatest moment. That’s what the World Test Championship Final means. Since 2019, this tournament has given Test cricket a new purpose, bringing the best teams together for one ultimate battle.
South Africa beat Australia by 5 wickets in the 2025 final at Lord’s. This victory ended their 27-year wait for an ICC trophy. The Proteas joined New Zealand and Australia as the only teams to lift the prestigious Test mace.
Every WTC cycle tells a story of grit, determination, and world-class cricket spread over two years. Let’s look at how each champion earned their place in history.
WTC Winners from 2019-2025
Here are the winners of every edition:
| Year(s) | Winner | Runner-up | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-25 | South Africa | Australia | Won by 5 wickets | Lord’s, London |
| 2021-23 | Australia | India | Won by 209 runs | Kennington Oval, London |
| 2019-21 | New Zealand | India | Won by 8 wickets | Rose Bowl, Southampton |
1. South Africa (2023-25)
Finally! South Africa ended their 27-year ICC trophy drought in the most spectacular way. They beat Australia by 5 wickets at the home of cricket – Lord’s in London. The last time the Proteas won an ICC title was back in 1998 when they lifted the Champions Trophy.
Captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl. His decision paid off immediately as South Africa dismissed Australia for just 212 runs. Australia fought back hard and bowled out South Africa for only 138 runs. Pat Cummins was unstoppable with a six-wicket haul.
But then came the hero! Aiden Markram played one of the greatest innings in Test cricket history. He became the first South African ever to score a century in an ICC final. His brilliant 136 runs off 207 balls turned the match around completely.
Bavuma supported Markram perfectly with a captain’s knock of 66 runs. Even though Markram fell just before the winning line, South Africa got over the finish line to script history. The team won eight Tests during the cycle to reach the final, showing their consistency and class.
- Captain: Temba Bavuma
- Player of the Match: Aiden Markram
2. Australia (2021-23)
Australia claimed their first WTC title by crushing India by 209 runs at The Oval in London. Pat Cummins led his team brilliantly throughout the tournament. This was a complete team performance from the Aussies.
Australia dominated the final from start to finish. Their batting lineup posted strong totals in both innings. The bowlers then did their job perfectly, not giving India any chance to come back into the match.
Travis Head played a match-winning innings that broke the back of the Indian bowling attack. His aggressive batting changed the course of the game. The Australian team celebrated their well-deserved victory as they lifted the mace.
This win was special for Australia as they had been working toward this goal for two years. They played consistent cricket throughout the cycle and deserved to be crowned world champions.
- Captain: Pat Cummins
- Player of the Match: Travis Head
3. New Zealand (2019-21)
New Zealand made history by winning the very first World Test Championship! They beat India by 8 wickets in Southampton, England. Captain Kane Williamson’s smart leadership was the key to their success.
The Kiwis played patient and disciplined cricket throughout the final. Their bowlers restricted India to manageable totals in both innings. Then their batsmen chased down the target without much trouble.
Kyle Jamieson was the star of the show with his brilliant all-round performance. He took crucial wickets and scored important runs when his team needed them most. His performance won him the Player of the Match award.
This victory was very special for New Zealand cricket. They had always been known as a strong team, but had never won a major ICC trophy before this. Kane Williamson and his team changed that forever at Southampton.
- Captain: Kane Williamson
- Player of the Match: Kyle Jamieson
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Conclusion: WTC Has 3 Different Winners in 3 Editions
The World Test Championship has transformed Test cricket into something more exciting and meaningful. Every match counts, every series matters, and every team has a clear goal to chase.
Three different champions in three editions show how competitive Test cricket has become. New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa have all tasted glory. But many other strong teams are ready to claim the mace in future cycles.
The future of the WTC looks bright. More teams are taking Test cricket seriously because of this tournament. The quality keeps improving, and fans around the world are more engaged than ever before.
FAQs
Three teams have won the WTC: New Zealand (2019-21), Australia (2021-23), and South Africa (2023-25). Each champion won their title in England.
All three WTC Finals have been played in England. The 2019-21 final was in Southampton, while the 2021-23 and 2023-25 finals were at The Oval and Lord’s in London, respectively.
The WTC started in 2019. New Zealand won the first-ever final by beating India by 8 wickets in Southampton in 2021.
India has been the runner-up twice, losing to New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023. They are yet to win the championship.
South Africa ended their 27-year ICC trophy drought with this win. Aiden Markram became the first South African to score a century in an ICC final, helping them beat Australia at Lord’s.
