The world test championship has been described as a bane of the international cricket calendar – too cumbersome to fit neatly into any gap and yet too insubstantial to provide any satisfaction to combatants or their fans. But this week’s final at London’s storied ground, Lord’s, will offer proof that it does have a role to play in the game’s upper echelons.

South Africa will reassert its credentials as the best team in the world when it takes on Australia at Lord’s. Both sides are brimming with confidence and will look to put on an epic display of the best qualities of the longest form of the game.

It will be the second time the two teams meet in a final, with Australia winning the inaugural 2021 contest at Lord’s. The Proteas will be looking to reclaim the prestigious Test Mace, which was last held by them in 2016.

Both sides have built up momentum through series victories over Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. But the Proteas are favourites to win, especially with their potent bowling attack that includes ace pacer Kagiso Rabada and the world’s leading run scorer in Aiden Markram.

The WTC was launched in 2019 and is comprised of only the top nine full member nations that compete in five-match series against each other. However, there has been criticism that the WTC should include a larger number of countries and have a greater level of competition. Including the likes of Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe in the championship and introducing divisions with teams being promoted and relegated would create more balance and competitiveness in the competition. The ICC has said that it is considering making changes to the structure of the WTC in the future.