WTC Final 2025: Josh Hazlewood's flawless finals streak ends in heartbreak as Australia fall to South Africa

Australia's Josh Hazlewood, left, reacts after bowling a delivery. (AP Photo)
Josh Hazlewood
's incredible record in cricket finals finally met its end at Lord's on Saturday, as South Africa stunned Australia to win the 2025 ICC World Test Championship. The victory handed South Africa their first-ever WTC title and ended Australia's reign as champions — and with it, Hazlewood's perfect finals streak.
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The composed Australian pacer, known for delivering in high-pressure games, had won nine out of nine major finals in his career heading into the clash. From the 2010 U19 World Cup to the 2025 IPL Final, Hazlewood had consistently been part of title-winning sides. But in his tenth, the Proteas proved too strong.
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What do you think about Josh Hazlewood's performance in the 2025 WTC Final?
Below expectations
Decent but not enough
Solid performance overall
Outstanding as always
Hazlewood had a modest performance with the ball, finishing with figures of 1/27 and 1/58 across the two innings. However, he had a brief moment of impact with the bat. On Day 3, Hazlewood combined with
Mitchell Starc
for a 59-run stand — the joint-highest 10th-wicket partnership in an ICC knockout match — helping Australia set a challenging 282-run target.
Still, it wasn't enough. South Africa chased down the target clinically to clinch the WTC mace, breaking their ICC title drought and spoiling Hazlewood's decade-long record in the process.
The 34-year-old's glittering finals résumé includes being Player of the Match in the 2010 U19 World Cup final, vital spells in the 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cup triumphs, and a key role in Australia's T20 and WTC titles. Most recently, he helped RCB to their maiden IPL title in 2025.
But at Lord's, the winning streak ended. For the first time in his career, Josh Hazlewood left a championship final without the trophy — a rare blemish on an otherwise legendary finals ledger.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's Coach on England Prep, Opening Partner, & Playing Under Gill
Here's the list of finals Hazlewood played:
2010 U19 World Cup Final – Player of the Match with 4/30 vs Pakistan
2012 CLT20 Final – Part of Sydney Sixers' 10-wicket demolition of Highveld Lions
2015 ODI World Cup Final – Took 2 wickets as Australia beat New Zealand
2020 BBL Final – Won the title with Sydney Sixers
2021 IPL Final (CSK) – Played a key role in Chennai's triumph
2021 T20 World Cup Final – 3/16 vs New Zealand in a clinical win
2023 ODI World Cup Final – Helped Australia sink India in Ahmedabad
2023 WTC Final – Part of the side that defeated India at The Oval
2025 IPL Final (RCB) – Bowled a tight final over to seal a 6-run win
2025 WTC Final - Lost his first final to South Africa

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