WTC Final 2025: What Happens If Australia vs South Africa Ends in a Draw or Tie? Reserve Day Explained

The stage is set for the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) Final with Australia taking on South Africa at the legendary Lord’s from June 11 to 15. As fans gear up for a clash between two world-class teams, there’s also plenty of talk about what could happen if the match ends in a draw or gets affected by rain. With so much on the line everyone’s eager to know how things would play out if the weather or other factors prevent a clear winner from emerging.

WTC Final: What happens if the match ends in a draw?

If the World Test Championship Final between Australia and South Africa finishes without a clear winner either due to a draw or a tie—both teams will be declared joint champions and will share the WTC mace. This has been the official rule for the standalone final since the tournament began in 2021.

In Test cricket, there’s no tiebreaker like a Super Over to decide the winner. Unlike regular Test series where a draw just ends the match without a clear outcome, the WTC Final is a title clash — so if the game ends in a draw or tie, both teams will be named joint champions.

WTC Final: Is there a reserve day?

Yes, the ICC has set aside June 16 as a reserve day for the World Test Championship Final. However, it will only be used if time lost during the five scheduled days can't be made up through extended play. If needed, the reserve day can provide up to 90 extra overs. That said, if the match runs its course across the original five days — even with some weather delays — and a result isn’t achieved, the game can still end in a draw or tie without triggering the reserve day.

WTC 2025 Final Prize Money

Apart from the glory of lifting the coveted WTC mace, there’s a big financial reward on offer too. For the 2023–25 cycle, the ICC has increased the prize money, making this final not just a battle for pride, but also for a bigger payday. Both finalists will take home a substantial share with the champions earning the lion’s portion.

SEE ALSO: WTC Final 2025: Australia vs South Africa Stats & Records at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London