ICC announces match officials for World Test Championship Final 2025

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the match officials for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, set to be held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground from June 11 to 15.

Chris Gaffaney of New Zealand and England’s Richard Illingworth will serve as the on-field umpires for the high-stakes clash between South Africa and Australia — the culmination of a fiercely contested two-year Test cycle.

Illingworth, the current ICC Umpire of the Year and winner of the David Shepherd Trophy for the fourth time in 2024, brings vast experience to the role. He is set to make history by standing as an on-field umpire in all three WTC Finals — having previously officiated in the 2021 and 2023 editions.

Gaffaney, who also partnered with Illingworth in last year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final, returns to the WTC Final after officiating the 2023 decider between India and Australia.

Joining them will be Richard Kettleborough, also from England, who has been appointed as the TV umpire. Kettleborough, a regular in ICC event finals including the Men’s Cricket World Cup and the Champions Trophy, had earlier served as TV umpire in the WTC 2021 Final between India and New Zealand.

India’s Nitin Menon will be the fourth umpire for the contest, marking his debut in a World Test Championship Final. Menon had previously officiated as TV umpire during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final in 2021.

The match referee for the final will be India’s Javagal Srinath, an experienced and respected figure in the ICC’s elite match official panel.

ICC Chair Jay Shah praised the quality and experience of the selected officials, expressing full confidence in their ability to handle the marquee event.

“We are pleased to announce an experienced team of match officials for the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, marking the culmination of a highly competitive two-year cycle of Test matches played around the world," Shah said. 

“We strive to select the most qualified and deserving officials for all matches, and we are confident they will perform admirably. On behalf of the ICC, I wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this assignment," he added. 

South Africa will be playing their first-ever World Test Championship Final after securing a series victory against Pakistan earlier this year. Meanwhile, defending champions Australia booked their place with impressive Test series wins over India (3-1) and Sri Lanka (2-0).

The stage is now set for a thrilling contest at Lord’s, where the two top teams in the WTC cycle 2023-2025 will battle it out for the coveted WTC mace.