The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a significant rise in prize money for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) and published a promotional video including numerous previous and current players as anticipation grows for The Ultimate Test.
The victors of the WTC Final, which will be played between Australia and South Africa at Lord's from June 11-15, will receive a reward of $3. 6 million, more than twice that earned by New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023) after winning the previous two finals.
The losing finalists will also gain more than the previous top prize money, with more than $2. 1 million guaranteed this time. The winners of the previous two editions got $1. 6 million, while the defeated finalists received $800,000.
The rise in prize money exemplifies the ICC's attempt to emphasize Test cricket as it seeks to capitalize on the success of the first three cycles of the nineteam tournament.
South Africa concluded the third edition on a high, winning 20 home series over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, culminating with a 69. 44% success rate. Defending champions Australia finished with 67. 54 points, while India finished with 50. 00 after leading the standings for the majority of the competition.
ICC Chair Mr. Jay Shah offered the finalists the best of luck as they fought for the Test Mace.
ICC Chair Jay Shah said: "We have seen a very exciting third edition of the ICC World Test Championship, with the finalists decided only towards the conclusion of the tournament.
"The championship has featured outstanding performances from players of several teams, leading in a final between these two outstanding teams, a true tribute to cricket.
"I am confident that viewers at Lord's, as well as fans watching in from across the world, will be treated to some top-class cricket in this venerable format when Australia and South Africa take the field less than a month from now.
"On behalf of the ICC, I convey my best wishes to the players of both teams as they prepare for the important game. "
Both captains were ecstatic about the prospect of competing at Lord's, which will host the World Test Championship Final for the first time.
Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, said: "We are immensely proud to have the opportunity to defend the World Test Championship, especially at Lord's. It is a tribute to everyone who has worked tirelessly over the last two years to get to the final, which is a tremendous honor for all of us.
"We really look forward to reuniting in England in a few weeks and the challenge that South Africa will pose at the home of cricket. "
South African captain Temba Bavuma stated, "We're really happy to have reached the World Test Championship Final, which is a great chance for us to win an ICC trophy.
"Everyone recognizes the value of Test cricket, and the World Test Championship adds context to this critical form of the game. Lord's is an appropriate location for this mega fixture, and we will all be out there attempting to offer our best against Australia. "
"The enthusiasm is building with less than one month to go, and I am certain that supporters all over the world would be monitoring the success of both teams on June 11. "
The Ultimate Test commercial video: Bavuma is one of the Test stars featured in the promotional video commemorating the 30-day countdown to the World Test Championship Final, which highlights the importance of the final and emphasizes how Test cricket differs from other sports, requiring a unique combination of skill, intellect, stamina, bravery, and other traits.
Shaun Pollock, Dayle Steyn, Aiden Markram, and Kagiso Rabada are among the other South Africans who appear in the video, while Matthew Hayden, Steve Smith, Travis Head, and former women's Test player Mel Jones represent Australia.
Former cricketers and presenters Nasser Hussain, Shoaib Akhtar, and Ravi Shastri are featured in the promo video.
Captains' Preview Before the WTC Final: In the lead up to the WTC Final, the captains of both sides will preview the game in a live event on June 9 that fans may watch through the event's broadcast partners.
