WTC Final: Three key battles that could decide the destination of the Test mace

Here, we look at three key battles that could shape the outcome of the result at the Home of Cricket.

Kagiso Rabada v Steve Smith

The battle between South Africa's premier strike bowler and Australia's kingpin batter could go a long way to deciding if the Proteas break their ICC trophy drought or the Aussies just add another title to an already stacked cabinet.

Rabada has been in the spotlight recently after serving a ban after admitting to taking a prohibited substance and will no doubt come under scrutiny in the build-up, which can bring out the fire in his belly.

Smith, by contrast, has been quiet, with his last competitive game of cricket coming three months ago when he played his final ODI for his country against India.

The 36-year-old has used the break to switch off, even spending some time in New York, USA - which apparently is a favourite destination of his and where he owns property.

With more than 10 000 runs in 116 Tests, this could be the veteran's last chance to shine on the big stage in an ICC final but Rabada will have other ideas and always targets at the opposition's big fish.

Keshav Maharaj v Travis Head

The buzzword used in cricket, especially in the shorter formats, is 'match-ups'. A left-arm finger spinner apparently cannot bowl to an attacking left-handed batter, or so we are led to believe.

The Proteas though have South Africa's best-ever slow-bowler at their disposal and Maharaj will no doubt relish the challenge going up against Head, who only knows one way to play.

The Australia middle-order dasher will be coming straight from an IPL campaign and will want to repeat his heroics from the WTC final in 2022 when he cracked 163 off just 174 balls against India at The Oval set up a victory.

However, Maharaj is an astute thinker of the game and will use all kinds of tactics to upset Head - even the Lord's slope could be a weapon - and the left-armer is also just two wickets away from achieving the 200-wicket milestone in the longest format.

There will not be a bigger stage to achieve the special landmark and also make history for your country than at the world's most famous cricket venue.

Temba Bavuma v Pat Cummins

Captaincy will be key! Both leaders aren't the brash type that will fire away in a press conference or even be loud when out on the field.

Cummins has brought calm to the Australian dressing room, and it has worked, with him being at the forefront of lifting every possible trophy the game has to offer.

Bavuma has the task of being the Proteas' best Test batter while also having to lead a group that desperately wants to bring some ICC silverware back home.

The South African skipper has led by example though, not only with words but with heaps of runs as he helped guide his team to what is seen as the Ultimate Test.

Can the St David's Marist College old boy lead the Proteas to the Promised Land?

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