WTC Final 2025: Who gets the ICC mace in case of a draw or washout?

WTC final: Temba Bavuma and Pat Cummins pose with the mace at Lord's (ICC Photo)

WTC Final 2025: A five-day match that ends in a draw has become rare in an era when four-day Test matches are commonplace — England defeated Zimbabwe in the first-ever four-day Test match last month. However, in England, particularly at the Lord's, where the weather is more unpredictable than the opposition bowlers, it can occasionally be difficult to determine a clear winner within the allotted time. This time, the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and England will take place at the iconic Lord's.

There will probably be a certain winner in the WTC final given the bowling attacks that South Africa and Australia have. But who will win the WTC final if Pat Cummins or Temba Bavuma's squad is unable to take 20 wickets because of the tenacity of the batters or weather delays and the game ends in a draw?

There will be shared winners, to put it plainly. Australia's Pat Cummins and South Africa's Temba Bavuma will share the Test mace if the WTC final ends in a draw. Although there was much discussion among fans and experts regarding a best-of-three final to determine the WTC champion following a two-year arduous journey to the summit match, the ICC has chosen to stick with the one match format.

The dates of the WTC final are June 11–15. Weather-related disruptions are unlikely to occur on the first day. Although there is little likelihood of rain, the skies will continue to be overcast, although it could present issues on Day 2 and 3.

Does that imply that bad weather can really make the WTC final a draw? It can, but by maintaining a reserve day, the ICC has attempted to lessen its impact. If they are unable to make up the time lost due to severe weather throughout the five days and no decision has been made by the end of the fifth day, the sixth day, also known as the reserve day, will take effect.

When weather intervened during the first several days of the 2021 WTC final between India and New Zealand, the reserve day was utilized to secure a result.

For the WTC final, are there any more regulation changes? No. The WTC final is governed by the same regulations as a typical Test match. Like the previous two editions, the WTC final will be contested in England using the Duke's ball rather than the Kookaburra ball, which is used at home by both Australia and South Africa.