The ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final has reached a tense and pivotal phase, with Australia asserting their dominance in yet another major Test encounter against South Africa. In what has become a hallmark of their cricketing DNA, the Aussies have stepped up on the big stage. With Pat Cummins leading from the front, Australia’s disciplined performance with the ball and in the field has tilted the balance strongly in their favour.

Cummins’ tactical awareness and leadership under pressure have been flawless throughout the campaign. His pace attack  featuring Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and himself has consistently delivered telling blows at crucial moments. Their ability to extract bounce, swing, and movement, particularly during the early sessions, has put opponents on the back foot in both innings.

Marnus Labuschagne shares emotional gesture with AB de Villiers’ family

Despite an underwhelming performance with the bat, Marnus Labuschagne found himself in the spotlight for a different reason one that warmed the hearts of many watching the Test unfold. In a moment captured and shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Labuschagne was seen interacting with AB de Villiers‘ children, pausing to sign their shirts with a smile. De Villiers, watching the scene unfold from the sidelines, expressed heartfelt admiration:

“I have got my two boys here, we saw Marnus Labuschagne earlier, and he straightaway came to us and started signing the boys’ shirts. I was standing there, sort of from an outsider’s point of view, appreciating it  because I was there not long ago,” De Villiers said. The video quickly went viral, offering a refreshing contrast to the intensity of the match and showcasing Labuschagne’s humility and respect for the legends of the game.

Here’s the video:

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Coming into the final, Labuschagne’s unexpected promotion to open the innings alongside Usman Khawaja was one of the major talking points. The move, likely made to bolster the top order’s resistance against South Africa’s fiery new-ball duo of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, unfortunately did not pay dividends.

Though Labuschagne initially looked composed, his approach was conservative. He scored 17 off 56 balls, a slow and tentative innings that ultimately ended in disappointment. In contrast, Steve Smith, who walked in after two early wickets, looked far more assertive. Within half the number of deliveries, he matched Labuschagne’s score reaching 17 off just 28 balls signaling a clear difference in intent. Labuschagne’s innings highlighted the pressure of high-stakes matches and the challenge of adapting quickly to a new role under unfamiliar conditions. His 17 from 56 balls was emblematic of Australia’s cautious start during the tricky opening session.

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