WTC 2025 Final: Steve Smith Returns After 3-Month Break From Cricket

Steve Smith, Australia's seasoned right-hander, is ready to go when the country returns to red-ball action after a nearly three-month break. The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against South Africa is scheduled at Lord's from June 11 to 15, 2025.

Why Did Smith Get a Break From Cricket For 3 Months?

The 36-year-old made a unique choice to quit cricket completely after Australia lost in the Champions Trophy semi-final in March, and Smith declared his retirement from ODIs. He immersed himself in a mental and physical cleanse instead of playing shadow-batting at home. Smith admitted that he is now the "strongest I've felt since maybe 2014" after spending more than two months in New York working with a personal coach on strength and mobility training.

Lord's: A Treasured Stage

Smith feels a particular connection to Lord's. He says that Lord's is his favorite away ground after Sydney, with a Test average of over 55 in England and an even better 58.33 there. After scoring 121 in the 2023 final at The Oval, he has already made a name for himself here and is expected to be a key player in the 2025 rematch.

 

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