Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 7: As Australia gears up for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s on June 11, former Australia cricketer Tom Moody has emphasized the Aussies’ enduring knack for performing under pressure and thriving in high-stakes matches.
Moody, speaking on Star Sports, noted that Australia’s history of success in ICC tournaments has instilled in them a winning mentality that often sees them rise to the occasion. “The Australians have built that reputation through consistent success in major tournaments,” he said.
“When it comes to ICC events, Australia somehow elevates their game to another level as a team. They genuinely embrace the challenges of tournament cricket and thrive under the pressure of these high-stakes matches.”
The final at Lord’s promises a mouthwatering clash as South Africa aims to end a 20-year ICC trophy drought, while Pat Cummins’ Australia seeks to defend the coveted mace they claimed by defeating India at The Oval in 2023.
Moody credited Australia’s confidence to a culture of winning that spans generations. “Historically, many of their players have won multiple ICC tournaments, and they’ve grown up watching previous generations achieve the same success. That winning mentality is ingrained in them,” he explained.
South Africa, meanwhile, heads into the final on the back of a strong ICC tournament run, having reached the semifinals of both the Men’s World Cup and the Champions Trophy, plus a runner-up finish in the T20 World Cup.
Still, Moody believes that Australia’s experience in big matches could tip the balance in their favour. “You need to trust your instincts and cut out the negativity about not having played Test cricket for months, or suddenly facing different conditions in England,” he said. “That’s the nature of Test cricket — adapting and evolving on the move.”
He concluded: “I think both teams are aware of that. But Australia holds a slight advantage purely because they’ve played more big matches than South Africa has in recent years.”
With the WTC final looming, fans can expect a classic showdown — and if history is any guide, Australia’s big-match pedigree might just make the difference.