FANTASY CRICKET INSIGHTS: WHO TO WATCH IN THE WTC FINAL.

Fantasy Cricket Insights: Who to Watch in the WTC Final.

Fantasy Cricket Insights: Who to Watch in the WTC Final.

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The ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord's is already living up to its billing as a "Clash of Titans." After an exhilarating Day 1, where 14 wickets tumbled on a lively Lord's pitch, the fantasy cricket landscape has been thoroughly shaken. For those immersed in the strategic depths of Vision11, understanding which players have truly shone and who to keep an eye on for the rest of this pivotal Test is more crucial than ever.

Day 1 saw South Africa dominate the first session, leveraging overcast conditions and a seaming track to bundle out Australia for a modest 212. However, the defending champions, with their own world-class pace attack, hit back hard, leaving South Africa reeling at 43/4 at stumps. This rollercoaster of a day highlights that every session, every partnership, and every wicket will be vital for your fantasy team.

Let’s dive into who to watch and why they could be your fantasy game-changers in this WTC Final showdown.

Star Performers from Day 1 and Their Fantasy Potential



  1. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): The Pace Maestro



  • Day 1 Performance: 5 wickets for 51 runs. A sensational spell that ripped through Australia's top and lower order.

  • Why Watch: Rabada is a genuine wicket-taker who thrives in conditions that offer even a hint of seam and swing. His ability to generate pace and bounce, coupled with pinpoint accuracy, makes him a threat every single ball. With the Dukes ball and Lord's slope, he is absolutely lethal. He's already shown his class, and you can expect him to be relentlessly attacking throughout the match. He's a premium pick for any fantasy team, especially as he hunts for more scalps in Australia's second innings.



  1. Beau Webster (Australia): The Surprise Rescuer



  • Day 1 Performance: 72 runs. A gritty, crucial knock that rescued Australia from a far worse position.

  • Why Watch: Webster, while not traditionally known for his Test batting heroics, showed immense composure and skill against a hostile South African attack. His innings gave Australia a fighting chance. In fantasy cricket, finding a differential who delivers big can be key. If he can replicate this resilience in the second innings, or chip in with a few overs of economical bowling, he could be a dark horse. His role as an all-rounder is enhanced by his batting contribution.



  1. Steve Smith (Australia): The Test Batting Pillar



  • Day 1 Performance: 66 runs. Held the Australian innings together for a significant period.

  • Why Watch: Smith is a master of Test match batting, especially in England. His unique technique allows him to adapt to challenging conditions, and he's known for his ability to score big once set. While he didn't convert his fifty into a century, his contribution was invaluable. In the second innings, if Australia needs to bat big to set a target, Smith will be the cornerstone. He's a reliable captaincy or vice-captaincy option due to his consistency.



  1. Mitchell Starc (Australia): The Early Devastator



  • Day 1 Performance: 2 wickets for 10 runs in 7 overs. Caused early damage to South Africa's top order.

  • Why Watch: When Starc gets the ball swinging, he's virtually unplayable. His ability to pick up early wickets and bowl devastating spells makes him a high-reward fantasy option. He thrives on aggression and pace. Given South Africa's precarious position, Starc, alongside Cummins and Hazlewood, will be aiming to blow them away quickly on Day 2 morning.


Key Players to Watch on Day 2 and Beyond



  1. Pat Cummins (Australia): The Captain with the Golden Arm



  • Why Watch: Cummins is not just an exceptional bowler but also a shrewd captain. He picked up a crucial wicket on Day 1. His leadership, ability to rotate bowlers, and his own consistent line and length make him a constant threat. He bowls critical overs and often breaks partnerships. As a genuine all-rounder, he can also chip in with vital runs down the order.



  1. Josh Hazlewood (Australia): The Mr. Consistent



  • Why Watch: Hazlewood might not always grab the headlines with five-wicket hauls, but his relentless accuracy and nagging length are perfect for Test cricket, especially in English conditions. He builds pressure, creates chances, and is an excellent foil for the more attacking Starc and Cummins. He picked up a wicket on Day 1 and will continue to be a workhorse for Australia.



  1. Temba Bavuma (South Africa): The Captain's Fight



  • Day 1 Performance: 3* off 37 balls.

  • Why Watch: Bavuma is currently at the crease, facing immense pressure. His ability to absorb dot balls and ride out the tough spells will be critical for South Africa. If he can bat for a significant period and build partnerships, he can stabilize the innings and allow the more attacking batsmen like David Bedingham to flourish. A good knock from him could single-handedly change the complexion of South Africa's innings.



  1. David Bedingham (South Africa): The Aggressive Counter-attacker



  • Day 1 Performance: 8* off 9 balls (finished Day 1 with two boundaries).

  • Why Watch: Bedingham showed positive intent at the end of Day 1, hitting a couple of boundaries. He is known for his aggressive style and can quickly shift momentum if he gets going. South Africa will need someone to counter-attack and score runs quickly if they are to get closer to Australia's total. He could be a high-risk, high-reward pick.



  1. Marco Jansen (South Africa): The Tall All-rounder



  • Day 1 Performance: 3 wickets for 49 runs.

  • Why Watch: Jansen's height and left-arm angle make him a unique challenge for batsmen. He extracts bounce and movement, and he's also a handy lower-order batsman. He took crucial wickets, including Travis Head. His all-round contribution makes him a highly valuable fantasy asset.


WTC Final Match Prediction and Fantasy Strategy


The WTC Final Match Prediction remains leaning towards Australia, given their advantageous position at stumps on Day 1. However, the nature of Test cricket, especially at Lord's, means nothing is certain. South Africa's pace attack is potent enough to create dramatic collapses, and if their remaining batsmen can show resilience, they can still make a strong fight.

For your Vision11 team, focus on:

  • Pacers from both sides: Lord's is a seamer's paradise, and both teams boast world-class fast bowlers. Prioritize Rabada, Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood.

  • Resilient batsmen: While the pitch is challenging, batsmen who can absorb pressure and grind out runs (like Smith, and potentially Bavuma) will be invaluable.

  • All-rounders: Players like Beau Webster and Marco Jansen who contribute with both bat and ball provide excellent fantasy points.


The WTC Final is a strategic masterpiece unfolding before our eyes. Picking the right combination on Vision11 requires anticipating not just individual brilliance, but also how players will perform under immense pressure and fluctuating conditions. Keep an eye on Day 2's play, as it will be absolutely pivotal in shaping the narrative and your fantasy success.

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