The stakes are incredibly high for South Africa and Australia as they head into the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final at Lord's, starting June 11th. While the term "fine" might conjure images of penalties for misbehavior, the concern for these teams stems from a significant financial disparity for the runner-up.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a substantial increase in prize money for the WTC 2023-25 cycle, with a total purse of $5.76 million USD (approximately ₹49.28 crores). This is double the prize money from the previous season, significantly raising the financial incentives for participating nations.
The winner of the WTC final will walk away with a hefty $3.6 million USD (approximately ₹30.88 crores). In contrast, the runner-up will receive $2.16 million USD (approximately ₹18.50 crores). The difference between the winning and losing prize money is $1.44 million USD, which translates to a "loss" of approximately ₹12.38 crores for the team that doesn't lift the trophy. This substantial gap is why both South Africa and Australia are highly motivated to secure the championship.
Beyond the finalists, other teams participating in the WTC 2023-25 cycle will also receive significant prize money based on their standing in the points table:
- India (3rd position): $1.44 million USD (approximately ₹12.32 crores)
- New Zealand (4th position): $1.20 million USD
- England: $960,000 USD
- Sri Lanka: $840,000 USD
- Bangladesh: $720,000 USD
- West Indies: $600,000 USD
- Pakistan: $480,000 USD (the least prize money among the participating teams)
The increased prize money highlights the ICC's commitment to enhancing the stature and financial rewards of Test cricket, making every match and every position in the championship more valuable. This heightened financial incentive ensures that all teams, especially those vying for the ultimate title, will be playing with immense determination.
