Cameron Green selection is noteworthy, particularly in light of his successful comeback to county cricket after undergoing back surgery. His batting is anticipated to have a significant impact, even though he is not anticipated to bowl much just now. Webster, however, has maintained his status as the team’s main seam-bowling all-rounder following a successful county tenure with Warwickshire and Test debut.
For the forthcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 Final against South Africa, which will begin on June 11 at the storied Lord’s in London, Australia has selected a 15-man squad.
As the Australians prepare to defend the WTC championship they won in 2023 against India, the announcement features the return of all-rounder Cameron Green, pace ace Josh Hazlewood, and skipper Pat Cummins.
During Australia’s most recent Test series in Sri Lanka, Cummins, Hazlewood, and Green were all injured but are now healthy. With Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Hazlewood leading a potent pace attack, Cummins heads a team that combines experience and firepower.
Spin chores will be performed by left-armer Matt Kuhnemann and veteran Nathan Lyon. Steve Smith, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja make up the batting core. Beau Webster, a powerful all-rounder, and young opener Sam Konstas have also been recruited to the team. George Bailey, the selection chair, talked about the trio’s return and the honour of making it to the final for the second consecutive year.
“We are grateful and excited to have Josh (Hazlewood), Cam (Green), and Pat (Cummins) rejoin the team. According to a CA statement, Bailey stated, “It means a lot to the group to make it to the final, and they are really looking forward to the challenge South Africa will present at Lord’s.”
It’s interesting to note that choosing the playing XI is difficult for selectors. One of Starc, Hazlewood, or Boland might have to pass since Cummins is a given. Hazlewood has an advantage due to his previous IPL performance (18 wickets in 10 games), but his shoulder ailment will be attentively watched. After an outstanding two-year cycle in which they won four of six series, including a historic triumph over India, Australia advanced to the final.
After an equally successful summer in which they defeated India for the first time in ten years, the squad concluded the WTC cycle with an outstanding series triumph in Sri Lanka. We now have the really thrilling chance to defend the World Test Championship after those series concluded a steady performance throughout the two-year cycle,” Bailey continued.
Australia would become the first team to win multiple WTC Finals in addition to defending if they prevailed at Lord’s. On June 26, the same squad will go on a three-Test series in the Caribbean. Brendan Doggett, meanwhile, has been appointed the travelling reserve after smashing the record in the Sheffield Shield final. South Australia won its first red-ball championship in almost thirty years thanks to Doggett’s eleven-wicket effort.
Australia’s team for the 2023–25 World Test Championship Final vs South Africa
Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Scott Boland, Alex Hazlewood, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc
India
