The crowd at Lord’s has settled in, chatter rising as the covers come off the pitch. You can almost feel the tension in the air today, two bowling powerhouses collide in the 2025 World Test Championship Final. For Cricket Recorder readers, this is the ultimate showdown: Australia’s pace brigade against South Africa’s seam stars. But which side really has the better quicks? Let’s get into it.
WTC Final 2025: Which Team Has the Better Pace Attack?
In a one-off Final, the first few overs often set the tone. A couple of early wickets and suddenly the batting side is on the back foot. Both teams are stacked with bowlers who can change matches in a session or two, but there are subtle differences in experience, roles, and recent form. Who will dominate among Kagiso rabada or Patt Cummins Over the next few sections, we’ll introduce each team’s leading pacemen, dig into key stats , and recall a few match moments that show just how potent these attacks can be.
Australia’s Seam Quartet: Experience and Precision
Australia’s fast bowlers feel almost tailor-made for big occasions. They’ve been around the block in Test cricket, know how to handle pressure, and have honed their crafts over many seasons. Let’s meet the main four:
Pat Cummins
- Tests Played: 67
- Wickets: 294
- Average: 22.43
- Strike Rate: 46.3
- Economy: 2.90
When Cummins takes the new ball, batters know they’re in trouble. He doesn’t overcelebrate; he just bowls relentlessly accurate lines, angling the ball back into right-handers or shaping it away, depending on what the batsman is doing. Remember the 2023 WTC Final against India? India was looking solid on Day Five until Cummins removed Ajinkya Rahane with a biting in-swinger.
That spell of 3/41 almost felt effortless but broke India’s back. He bowls long spells without tiring, which is gold in a final. As a captain, he also marshals his bowlers with a calmness that keeps the attack humming.
Mitchell Starc
- Wickets: 244
- Average: 23.40
Watching Starc bowl is like seeing a javelin thrower in cricket spikes. He steps in, flings the ball in at 145–150 km/h, and still finds reverse swing late. His left-arm angle is a nightmare for right-handers; he can nip one into the pads or swing it away to find the edge. In Adelaide (December 2023), he took 6/48 against India. The ball was skidding at knee height, and every batsman seemed a fraction late in judgment. At Lord’s, he’ll look to exploit any early seam movement. When he finds that perfect wrist position, batters have to respect every delivery.
Josh Hazlewood
- Wickets: 279
- Average: 22.50 (approx.)
Hazlewood isn’t about raw pace he’s more about rhythm, rhythm, rhythm. He puts the ball in the same spot over and over, just a touch fuller or shorter to test footwork. In Brisbane (January 2024), he ran through New Zealand for 5/31, trimming off the top order while someone else swooped in at the other end.
At Lord’s, he’ll be that dogged presence who ties the batters down. Put him in the same crease for five overs and you know he’s squeezing runs out of them. That pressure often leads to wicket-luck or rash shots.
Scott Boland
- Tests Played: 10
- Wickets: 34
- Average: ~21.00 (approx.)
Boland may be a relative newbie compared to Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood, but he’s got the knack for bounce. Standing tall, he can push the ball through the surface in a way batters don’t expect. In the 2023 Final, he took four wickets in India’s first innings when the seniors needed a break. At Lord’s, you bet the Aussie coaches will keep a close eye on how the deck plays if there’s uneven bounce, Boland’s your man. He’s almost like the secret weapon Australia brings out when a fresh spark is needed.
Australia’s Edge in a Nutshell
- The “Big Three” of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood provide experience, precision, and raw power.
- Boland adds an extra layer of unpredictability, especially when the main bowlers have bowled their spells.
- We’ve seen them work in harmony: one bowls tight, the other bowls wides, and the third slides in for the kill. That sort of balance is tough to counter.
South Africa’s Seamers: Power, Bounce, and Emerging Talent
On the other side, South Africa have built a bowling unit that mixes experience with fresh energy. Their quicks don’t just rely on pace; they use bounce, clever angles, and a touch of swing to exploit any seam conditions.
Kagiso Rabada
- Tests Played: 70
- Wickets: 327
- Average: ~21.90
Rabada bowls as if he’s got rocket fuel in his arm. Even on days when the pitch looks flat, he somehow gets 140+ km/h and a hint of bounce that flusters the best. In December 2021 at Centurion versus India, he took 6/50 as India stumbled to a sub-200 score. He ended with 11 wickets in that match, simply bulldozing them with pace and bounce . Heading to Lord’s, if there’s any seam life or undercooked bounce, batters will get a first taste from him. He’s the strike weapon if he’s on song, South Africa will feel like favorites in any session.
Lungi Ngidi
- Tests Played: 18
- Wickets: 50 (approx.)
- Average: ~24.19 (approx.)
Ngidi’s still building his Test CV, but when he bowls, there’s a hint of late swing and enough pace to bother batters. In India (2023–24), he picked up 11 wickets in two Tests, proving he can thrive even in unhelpful conditions. By March 2025, he had around 50 Test wickets, often chipping in when Rabada needed a breather. His cutters can skid on low, and if he hits a seam just right, that evening moisture can bring the ball back into the bat. He’s not always the first name on the team sheet, but he’s rapidly becoming a trusted second spear.
Gerald Coetzee
- Tests Played: 8
- Wickets: 24 (approx.)
- Average: ~28.00 (approx.)
Coetzee is practically a new-born star in Test cricket, but he’s already shown he’s brimming with potential. He constantly touches 145 km/h and most importantly can extract mad bounce from seemingly flat pitches. At Newlands (January 2025), he took 5/64 against England, sending batters flying and scrambling for answers. Though he’s only played eight Tests, batters talk about him like they would about a younger Dale Steyn. If he clicks early at Lord’s, that bounce could break stumps or nick the edge square.
Marco Jansen
- Tests Played: 15 (approx.)
- Wickets: 45 (approx.)
- Average: ~30.12 (approx.)
Jansen doesn’t look like your typical seamer, the towers at 6’8” and frequently spin. Still, when he seams the ball in Tests, that height allows for an awkward bounce that few batters anticipate. In England (2024), he claimed 14 wickets at an average of 30.12 precisely because the ball was jumping off a sticky length. While he isn’t in the front row of seamers, his height and angle serve as a unique threat. If you lose focus for a split second, you might see the delivery rocket through your defense.
South Africa’s Strengths
- Rabada is a premier wicket-taker who can blow apart batting line-ups on his day.
- Ngidi and Coetzee bring raw energy and pace, both know how to swing and bounce the ball.
- Jansen adds an unpredictable bounce factor, making batters stay honest even against lesser-known quicks.
Statistical Showdown: Who Edges It on Paper?
| Bowler | Test | Wicket | Avg | Strike Rate | Signature Skill |
| Pat Cummins (AUS) | 67 | 294 | 22.43 | 46.3 | Control, relentless accuracy |
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 70+ | 244 | 23.40 | 50.8† | Left-arm angle, late reverse swing |
| Josh Hazlewood (AUS) | 60+ | 279 | 22.50 | 49.2† | Seam consistency, disciplined lines |
| Scott Boland (AUS) | 10 | 34 | 21.00 | 40.0† | Surprise bounce, key support spells |
| Kagiso Rabada (SA) | 70 | 327 | 21.90 | 39.2 | Raw pace, aggressive wicket-taking |
| Lungi Ngidi (SA) | 18 | 50† | 24.19 | 51.0† | Late swing, clever cutters |
| Gerald Coetzee (SA) | 8 | 24† | 28.00 | 62.5† | Raw speed, steep bounce potential |
| Marco Jansen (SA) | 15† | 45† | 30.12 | 60.4† | Towering bounce, hybrid seamer |
Approximate figures for supporting bowlers based on records up to March 2025.
A few things stand out here: Rabada’s tally of 327 wickets and his sub-22 average are world-class. Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood each hover around the mid-200s in wickets, all with averages under 24. Starc’s strike rate edges close to 51, but his left-arm angle and ability to snatch wickets make him a constant threat. Coetzee and Ngidi haven’t racked up the numbers yet, but they’ve shown flashes that could break a Final wide open.
When It Really Mattered: Match Moments
Australia’s Big Hit Performances
- 2023 WTC Final vs India: On Day Five, India looked solid, needing just 120 with three wickets in hand. Cummins came on and dismantled them, finishing with 3/41. Starc’s 4/48 in the first innings had already put India on the back foot. Hazlewood’s tidy 2/27 squeezed the run rate and forced desperation shots .
- Adelaide vs India (Dec 2023): Starc’s 6/48 broke open the match. India was cruising at 109 for 3, then Starc’s thunderbolts reduced them to 109 all out in no time. Hazlewood finished off the tail with disciplined lines .
- Gabba vs South Africa (Dec 2022): Cummins ripped through the Proteas first innings with 5/68, and Hazlewood’s 4/29 finished them off for 177. Australia won by six wickets, showing how dominant they are at home .
South Africa’s Defining Spells
- Centurion vs India (Dec 2021): Rabada’s 6/50 and then a haul of 11 for the match. He had India 44/5 before lunch on Day Two. They eventually managed 200 thanks to a late partnership, but Rabada’s early burst defined the match .
- Melbourne vs Australia (Jan 2023): Ngidi took 5/102 across both innings. He bowled with pace and seam, nicking out Smith and Bancroft, and kept South Africa in the game until the very end even though they lost by just 87 runs .
- Newlands vs England (Jan 2025): Coetzee’s 5/64 in the first innings was a masterclass of bounce extraction. England looked set at 150/2 until Coetzee ripped through their middle order, leaving them reeling at 176 all out. That kind of impact from an 8-Test veteran hints at his big-match temperament .
These moments remind us that big spells often come at crucial junctures. Whether it’s Australia’s veterans stepping up in Finals or South Africa’s young quicks exploding on home turf, wickets in clusters decide matches.
Beyond the Frontline: Depth, X-Factors, and Support
No pace attack is just one or two bowlers. The support cast often shifts momentum when the stars need a breather.
Australia’s Backup Options
- Scott Boland: His height-driven bounce can surprise anyone. He might only bowl five or six overs at a time, but if he gets a couple of batters fending awkwardly, that’s enough to inspire a collapse.
- Cameron Green (Part-time): Known for his big hits with the bat, but his occasional seam deliveries can catch a batter off guard. He’s the kind of surprise change-up bowlers love, especially on a deck that grips just enough.
- Michael Neser: A Test rookie by 2025, Neser has a tidy first-class record. If Cummins needs a break, Neser can bowl a disciplined spell to hold one end up.
These options allow Cummins to rotate his attack more aggressively. In a final that can stretch over five days, setting one bowler’s fresh spell against a tired partner can pay off.
South Africa’s Bench Strength
- Marco Jansen: His bounce is weird, sometimes the ball jumps right under the bat’s edge. In helpful conditions, he can be lethal for a few overs, especially as a surprise change.
- Dwaine Pretorius (Part-time): He might only bowl a handful of overs, but his cutters can tie up an over or two if the batters look to settle.
- Nandre Burger: More of a club stalwart than a Test hopeful, but if injuries strike, his ability to bowl persistently at moderate pace could be a talking point.
South Africa’s bench depth isn’t as stacked as Australia’s, but the impact potential is definitely there. Ball goes in two-directions, and a single inspired spell can swing sessions.
Lord’s Conditions: How the Pitch and Weather Play In
Lord’s is notorious for behaving differently day by day. Early on, the wicket can offer seam movement, and the grass on the pitch often stays moist under English skies. For the first two days, the seamers get all the attention: Cummins and Starc will look to nip the ball in or angle it across, while Rabada and Coetzee will target to lift off a length.
By Day Three, if the sun comes out and dries the surface, the seam dies down. That’s when Hazlewood’s accuracy really matters: batters have to negotiate tight lines or risk playing an erroneous shot. South Africa will hope for overcast skies to keep the ball swinging; Rabada’s bounce could surprise batters who misjudge what looks like a fuller length.
If the weather forecast shows clouds on Days One and Two, it’s a dream start for both new-ball pairs. On a sunny Day Three, the scales tip slightly toward Australia’s consistent seamers. But as the ball wears and becomes older, reverse swing can come into play Starc and Ngidi both have reputations for picking up late movement, so that’s another layer that could decide which side grabs control.
Fantasy Cricket Tips and Stadium Pointers
For those playing fantasy cricket or lucky enough to be at Lord’s, here are a few takeaways:
- Fantasy Must-Haves
- Pat Cummins (AUS): He leads from the front, bowls long spells, and tends to pick up wickets when it matters most.
- Kagiso Rabada (SA): You know he’ll be given the new ball, and he often delivers big returns even if the pitch looks flat.
- Value Picks
- Scott Boland (AUS): He might be inexpensive in your fantasy budget, but if you think the match will have lively bounce, he could reward you.
- Gerald Coetzee (SA): Early in his career, but he’s shown he can trouble anyone. If you anticipate a bouncy deck, take a chance on him.
- Stadium Essentials
- Binoculars: Lord’s has narrow viewing angles from some sections. If you want to watch seam position or catch the faintest edge, binoculars are a must.
- Light Rain Jacket: English afternoons can surprise you blue skies in the morning can turn into a drizzle by lunch. That drizzle can keep the ball swinging.
- UV-Protected Sunglasses: When the sun does show up, glare off the pitch is brutal. Protect your eyes so you don’t miss those late edges or short balls popping up.
Verdict: Who Has the Better Pace Attack?
After walking through both lineups, you can see why this debate is so heated among fans. On paper, Australia’s trio Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood combined with Boland’s surprise factor offers a balanced attack that can sustain pressure. Cummins sets the tone, Starc brings fear with pace and swing, Hazlewood ties batters down, and Boland can break through when the others need a rest.
South Africa leans heavily on Rabada, and for good reason he’s a strike machine and has the numbers to back it up. Ngidi and Coetzee bring aggression, but they haven’t yet filled their careers with massive numbers. Jansen’s bounce is a wildcard, but he cannot bowl long spells like Hazlewood or Boland can. In a five-day final, the ability to rotate bowlers without losing sting often matters more than a single fiery spell.
That said, nothing in cricket is guaranteed. Rabada could run through the top order on Day One and suddenly we’re looking at a completely different match. Coetzee’s bounce might frighten an Aussie top three into early mistakes. But all things considered depth, experience, and recent form Australia’s seamers have a slight edge. Their three veterans know how to handle finals, and their support cast is better equipped to keep pressure building over five days.
Final Word from Cricket Recorder
When this Final kicks off, keep your eyes on every new-ball spell. Watch how Starc angles in, how Rabada steams in, and how Hazlewood maintains a line that batsmen can’t quite trust. In a match where one session can shift the momentum, these quicks hold the keys. Will Australia’s depth win out, or will South Africa’s raw power explode at the perfect moment? Only the next few days at Lord’s will tell.
Root for your favorites, enjoy every thunderbolt, and remember great cricket often comes down to those unthinkable moments when a ball crashes into the top of off stump. Who will be that unthinkable moment’s architect? Let us know your thoughts and predictions as the drama unfolds.
