South Africa, Australia name squads for ICC World Test Championship Final

Thursday, 15 May 2025 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

South Africa and Australia put forward their 15-player squads for World Test Championship Final beginning on 11 June at Lord’s.

Both the teams announced their squad on Tuesday, with the Proteas making headlines with fast bowling selections by recalling Lungi Ngidi, and Australia announcing the returns of skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green.

There are questions for the Proteas at the top of the order, with Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton all opening in the recent home series against Pakistan.

The middle order too has questions of its makeup, though there are perhaps bigger decisions to be made in terms of the bowling attack, with Keshav Maharaj’s role in the side considered given the favourable conditions for fast bowling.

For the Australians, Green is tipped to make his first Test appearance in more than 12 months after recovering from back surgery, though the 25-year-old will not be a bowling options for Cummins, throwing up selection questions for the side attempting to defend the WTC mace.

Fellow all-rounder Beau Webster remains in the squad after an impressive start to his Test career, while there are questions as to who opens the batting with Usman Khawaja.

Travis Head opened the batting with Khawaja during Australia’s most recent Test series in Sri Lanka, though the attacking left-hander looks set to return to his preferred position at No.5 against the Proteas.

Teenager Sam Konstas showed some excellent signs during the memorable series victory over India that helped clinch Australia’s place in the World Test Championship Final, but it may be too much to ask the 19-year-old to open the batting at Test level on his first trip to England.

There has been talk of former No.1 ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne moving up from his preferred spot at No.3 and filling in as opener at Lord’s and this may provide the Aussies with more stability at the top and allow them to bolster their middle-order.

The World Test Championship Final begins on 11 June at Lord’s.

South Africa squad: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy.

Australia squad: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett.

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