With the countdown to the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s entering its final month, the International Cricket Council has revealed a record-breaking prize purse for the 2023–25 edition of the tournament.
This cycle’s total prize money stands at a whopping USD $5.76 million, marking a significant increase from previous editions. The winning team will receive USD $3.6 million, more than double the $1.6 million awarded to champions in both 2021 and 2023. The runners-up will also benefit from the raised stakes, taking home USD $2.16 million, up from $800,000 in earlier finals.
Record figures 💰
— ICC (@ICC) May 15, 2025
The #WTC25 prize pool has been revealed ahead of the Ultimate Test 👇https://t.co/09tsNlB18Z
ICC World Test Championship 2023–25 Prize Money Distribution Table
| Position | Team | Prize Money (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Australia / South Africa | $3,600,000 |
| Runners-up | Australia / South Africa | $2,160,000 |
| Third | India | $1,440,000 |
| Fourth | New Zealand | $1,200,000 |
| Fifth | England | $960,000 |
| Sixth | Sri Lanka | $840,000 |
| Seventh | Bangladesh | $720,000 |
| Eighth | West Indies | $600,000 |
| Ninth | Pakistan | $480,000 |
To build momentum ahead of the much-anticipated final, the ICC released a dynamic promotional video featuring current stars such as South African skipper Temba Bavuma, fast-bowling spearhead Kagiso Rabada, stylish batter Aiden Markram, and Australia’s celebrated duo Steve Smith and Travis Head. The video also pays tribute to former legends like Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, Matthew Hayden, Mel Jones, Nasser Hussain, Shoaib Akhtar, and Ravi Shastri.
Road to the Final
South Africa were the first to secure a spot in the Lord’s finale, thanks to a dominant campaign that included series wins over Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, as well as a hard-fought drawn series at home against India.
Australia clinched their place in the showpiece match following a 3-1 victory over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Their route to the final also featured an emphatic 3-0 home sweep of Pakistan and away series triumphs in New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah reflected on the competition’s journey:
“This has been an exhilarating edition of the World Test Championship. The finalists emerged only in the final stages, which speaks volumes about the competitiveness of this cycle. The performances across teams have been nothing short of phenomenal. I believe this final will be a true celebration of Test cricket, especially being held at the iconic Lord’s. I extend my best wishes to both teams as they prepare for this grand occasion.”
It's exciting to announce that the winner of the #WTC25 Final between South Africa and Australia will earn $3.6M, with the runner-up to receive $2.1M. The increase in prize money exhibits our efforts to prioritize Test cricket and build on momentum from previous WTC cycles. @ICC pic.twitter.com/GMgWxM7GSb
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) May 15, 2025
Captains Share Their Excitement
South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, highlighted the magnitude of the opportunity:
“Reaching the WTC Final is a tremendous achievement and presents a golden chance for us to claim an ICC title. Test cricket remains the heartbeat of our sport, and the Championship has given it added purpose and prestige. Playing at Lord’s is always special, and we’ll be giving our all against Australia on the 11th of June.”
Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins, echoed the excitement and pride:
“It’s a huge honour to be back in the WTC Final, especially at such a storied venue as Lord’s. It’s a reward for the hard work and consistency shown by the entire team over the past two years. We know South Africa will pose a strong challenge, and we’re all eager to reunite in England and represent our country in what promises to be a thrilling contest.”
Historic Stakes Await
For South Africa, this final represents a chance to finally secure an ICC trophy in the longest format of the game. Meanwhile, Australia has its eyes set on creating history by becoming the first team to win the World Test Championship title twice.
As cricket fans across the globe gear up for this “Ultimate Test,” all eyes will turn to Lord’s on June 11, where the sport’s purest format takes center stage in what promises to be a riveting encounter.
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