Legendary Aussie quartet prepares to unleash full force on South Africa at Lord’s in a historic ICC World Test Championship final
LORD’S, LONDON – As cricketing history prepares to unfold at the hallowed turf of Lord’s, all eyes are on the formidable Australian bowling quartet of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon. Despite dominating the world’s best batting lineups for nearly a decade, the four modern-day greats have never clinched ICC Test silverware together.
That may change in the third ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, as they take on South Africa in what is shaping up to be a true clash of fire and grit.
Australia’s ‘Fab 4’ Set for Rare United Appearance
Despite making their individual debuts in the early 2010s, the combination of Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, and Lyon—fondly dubbed S.C.H.L.—only began regularly appearing together from the 2017 Ashes. Since then, they have played together in just 32 of Australia’s last 70 Tests, yet amassed an astounding 522 wickets as a unit.
However, their appearances together in England have been rare. In fact, this WTC final will mark only the third time they feature together on English soil since 2019, where they have taken 34 wickets at a strike rate of 56.0.
South Africa Face Uphill Battle
South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, come into the final boasting an eight-match unbeaten run. But they are up against a bowling machine that has taken 16.22 wickets per match and outshines even the famed English combination of Anderson, Broad, Stokes, and Moeen.
While Kagiso Rabada leads a promising pace attack with 327 wickets, the Proteas’ lineup has significantly less experience in English conditions—only 10 Test caps among the batters in England—raising questions about their ability to handle the iconic slope of Lord’s and the swing of the Dukes ball.
Big Names, Bigger Stakes
With the next WTC cycle looming, this final may be one of the last chances for Australia to field their golden quartet together. The stakes are high—not only for team glory but for individual legacy.
The final will feature five of the top seven active Test wicket-takers, with matchups like Rabada vs Steve Smith expected to be electric. Smith averages over 58 at Lord’s, but Rabada has dismissed him four times, adding spice to the duel.
Meanwhile, in Tests without Lyon in England, the Starc-Cummins-Hazlewood trio have taken 53 wickets at an average of 30—numbers that will put South Africa under pressure if the pitch offers bounce and swing.
Australia’s Last Shot at Unity?
This match could very well be the last major tournament where the S.C.H.L. combination appears at their peak. Hazlewood missed the 2023 WTC Final due to injury, making this Lord’s outing even more crucial in completing their collective trophy cabinet.
As fans wait for the first ball under the capricious skies of London, one question remains:
Can the greatest Aussie bowling quartet of the modern era finally lift ICC silverware together?
Stay tuned. This WTC Final promises to be one for the ages.
