Summary

Live Reporting

Elizabeth Botcherby

  1. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    I'm interested to see who Australia open with further down the line. Using Khawaja and Labuschagne over blooding Konstas/McSweeney feels like a reluctance to unleash the next generation.

    Ben, Northumberland

  2. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    This top order for Australia is their biggest concern with the uncertainty of who is going to bat where.

  3. Aus 0-0

    A maiden over from Kagiso Rabada to start the World Test Championship final.

    Usman Khawaja is looking very serious under his helmet, eyebrows knitted.

    Usman KhawajaGetty Images

  4. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I didn't think there'd be a lot of movement off the surface but that first ball's gone well up the slope.

  5. Aus 0-0

    We're off! And Kagiso Rabada beats Usman Khawaja's bat with the first ball. He's already found movement in the pitch.

    Australia and South Africa walking down the stepsGetty Images

  6. Kagiso Rabada is opening the bowling for South Africa.

    Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will open the batting for Australia.

  7. Well, contrasting opinions from Alastair Cook and Jim Maxwell about the toss. Remember, South Africa won and elected to bowl.

    Who do you think will win? Thumbs up for Australia. Thumbs down for South Africa. (There isn't a thumb option for draw - sorry).

    ICC World test trophyGetty Images

  8. Jim Maxwell
    BBC Test Match Special commentator at Lord's

    You have to fancy the bowling conditions for South Africa here.

  9. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I think the battle is the first two hours. I think because of what's happened at the toss, South Africa have almost handed the initiative to Australia.

    If they bat well today and they're still batting tomorrow, I don't see how South Africa will win the game.

    But if the South Africa bowling do some damage this morning, then Australia are three or four down at lunch then they're right in this game.

  10. The players are out and a dense smoke has settled over Lord's from the fireworks.

    Time for the anthems.

  11. A familiar face was in the South Africa camp this week...

    Former England bowler Stuart Broad spent a day with the Proteas as a bowling consultant.

    Stuart Broad (left)Getty Images

  12. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Australia have thrown something of a curveball by promoting Marnus Labuschagne to the top of the order.

    What are your thoughts on this selection decision? Will the experiment work? Will he be opening in the Ashes?

    Get in touch via the usual channels to let us know your thoughts on this (or anything else!). Just please remember to pop your name at the end of your message.

  13. Australia captain Pat Cummins: "We're happy to bat first. It looks a good wicket. There's a few clouds but that's not unusual for England. It's dry and might turn later in the match.

    "I don't think there's any extra pressure [as defending champions]. We've been here before and won it. This week is about enjoying it. We've had a great week."

  14. Temba Bavuma throws the ballPA Media

    South Africa captain Temba Bavuma: We'll have a bowl first. The surface looks a good one with solid overhead conditions.

    "I'm happy. It's too late now for anything else. We've selected the best team for the conditions."

    On how big of an occasion this is: "It's massive. I think all of us have some sort of allegiance to Lord's. It should be a spectacle of a game."

  15. Session timings

    Play is starting earlier than usual at Lord's, with the final getting under way at 10:30 BST. The session timings are as follows:

    • Morning session: 10:30-12:30 BST
    • Afternoon session: 13:10-15:10 BST
    • Evening session: 15:30-18:00 BST

  16. What happens if the match is drawn, abandoned, or tied?

    Rather unusually for cricket, there is a simple answer to this question. No Super Over, no boundary countback, no bowl off in the indoor school (although how fun would that be?)…

    If the match is drawn, tied, or abandoned, Australia and South Africa will share the trophy.

  17. Who are the previous winners?

    New Zealand were the inaugural winners of the World Test Championship, beating India by eight wickets in Southampton in 2021.

    India returned to the final two years later but once again walked away empty-handed, this time losing to Australia by 209 runs at The Oval.

    New Zealand with the WTC maceGetty Images
    Australia with the WTC maceGetty Images

  18. Listen live

    BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    You can tune into Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra for ball-by-ball coverage of all five days of the World Test Championship final.

    Click the ‘listen live’ button at the top of this page or head to BBC Sounds.

  19. Teams

    Marnus Labuschagne will open the batting for Australia alongside Usman Khawaja.

    All-rounder Beau Webster keeps his place at number six and Josh Hazlewood has been preferred to Scott Boland in the pace attack.

    Australia XI: Khawaja, Labuschagne, Green, Smith, Head, Webster, Carey, Cummins (c), Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon.

    South Africa have opted for Lungi Ngidi over Dane Paterson in the bowling attack while Kagiso Rabada plays his first Test after serving a one-month ban for cocaine use earlier this year.

    South Africa XI: Markram, Rickelton, Mulder, Bavuma (c), Stubbs, Bedingham, Verreynne, Jansen, Maharaj, Rabada, Ngidi.

  20. South Africa win the toss and bowl

    Temba Bavuma tosses the coinGetty Images

    Pat Cummins calls heads, it lands on tails, and South Africa will bowl first.