The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday unveiled a significant increase and a record prize money for the winners of 2023-2025 World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa next month.
The ICC has declared a total prize pool of $5.76 million (49.27 crore) for the WTC 2023-2025 final standings. The amount is more than the two folds of the previous two editions.The summit clash of the third cycle will be played at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground from June 11-15.
The champions will get $3.6 million, which is a significant jump from the $1.6 million awarded in 2021 and 2023. The runners-up will earn $2.16 million, which is up from $800,000, according to a statement from ICC.
South Africa so far is in the first position for the WTC 25 standings and became the first team to secure a spot in the final after series wins over Pakistan, West Indies. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, along with a drawn home series against India.
Earlier this year, Australia’s 3-1 triumph over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy guaranteed their place in the upcoming final. Meanwhile, India, which finished third in the standings and has been runners-up twice previously, will be awarded USD 1.44 million (or Rs 12.31 crore), the third-largest prize among the finalists.
Speaking on the announcement, ICC chairman Jay Shah said: “We have witnessed a very interesting third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, where the finalists were decided only towards the end of the competition.
The championship has showcased remarkable performances from players of different teams, culminating in a final between these two exceptional squads – a true celebration of cricket. I am sure spectators at Lord’s, along with fans tuning in from all over the world, will be treated to some top-class cricket in this revered format when Australia and South Africa take the field less than a month from now.”