Australia announce XI for WTC final, Marnus Labuschagne picked as makeshift opener
Australia named their XI for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa. Speaking to the press on the eve of the big-ticket clash at Lord's, London, captain Pat Cummins confirmed a XI that has a makeshift opener and two medium pace all-rounders.Marnus Labuschagne will open the batting for the first time in his career, pairing alongside veteran Usman Khawaja. Australia have picked Labuschagne for the experience he offers ahead of young Sam Konstas, who made a mark in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India earlier this year. Australia also had Josh Inglis as one of the options for the top-order, but they went with the experience of Labuschagne despite his lean form.advertisementCummins also confirmed all-rounder Cameron Green, who returns to Test cricket after more than a year's absence due to a back injury, will bat at No. 3 with Steve Smith dropping down to his favourite spot -- the No. 4.
"We thought three probably suits him (Green) best. And then, you know, with Marnus moving, we thought it's—well, one spot up, really. It's not too different to opening the batting in England in the past," Cummins said on Tuesday, June 10."You know, all the boys have trained well—him, Sam (Konstas), and Josh (Inglis) have all trained really well—but, yeah, selector George (Bailey) went with experience. He has done well in England in the past, especially at Lord's," he added, saying the make up of the side is only limited to the WTC final and Labuschange opening the batting is not a permanent move.advertisementAustralia have named Green and Beau Webster in the XI as the two fast-bowling all-rounders are expected to support the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Despite concerns over Hazlewood's fitness, the IPL 2025 champion has been picked ahead of Scott Boland.Australia have picked Nathan Lyon as the lone spinner and Alex Carey as the wicketkeeper. Travis Head will continue to bat in the lower-middle order and look to add impetus to their innings.AUSTRALIA PLAYING XI FOR WTC FINALUsman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.Earlier in the day, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma confirmed their XI for the big-ticket final. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who is back in the Test side for the first time since August 2024, was picked ahead of Dane Patterson. Keshav Maharaj was picked as South Africa's lone spinner while Bavuma confirmed that Wiaan Mulder will bat at No. 3.Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.Despite talks about the pitch at Lord's being drier than normal, both teams have went ahead with one specialist spinner. You May Also Like
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
30 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Usman Khawaja joins unwanted list during 20-ball duck in WTC final
Australia left-hand batter Usman Khawaja registered an unfortunate record, becoming the Aussie with joint-third longest duck during the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's, in the World Test Championship final on Wednesday. Khawaja was dismissed in the seventh over by Proteas right-arm seamer Kagiso Rabada after playing 20 balls in his innings as he edged the ball to slips. The other three openers on this list are David Warner (22 balls), Shaun Marsh (21 balls), and Sammy Jones (20 balls).
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Kagiso Rabada surpasses Allan Donald, shines with five-wicket haul in WTC final
London [UK], June 11 (ANI): Kagiso Rabada delivered a sensational performance on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, not only dismantling the opposition with a five-wicket haul but also etching his name deeper into South African cricket history. Rabada claimed figures of 5/51 in 15.4 overs, helping bowl Australia out for 212. His fiery spell was instrumental in shifting momentum in South Africa's favour during a crucial phase of the match at Lord's. With this performance, Rabada surpassed legendary fast bowler Allan Donald in the list of South Africa's highest wicket-takers in Test cricket. The 30-year-old now has 332 wickets in 71 Tests, overtaking Donald's tally of 330 wickets in 72 matches. Rabada now sits fourth on the all-time list of South African Test wicket-takers. His five-wicket haul also earned him a rare spot in the record books. Rabada became only the second bowler to take a five-for in a WTC final, following New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson, who achieved the feat against India in the 2021 final. Additionally, Rabada became just the second South African bowler after Jacques Kallis, who took 5/30 in the ICC Knockout Trophy final in 1998, to register a five-wicket haul in the final of a major ICC tournament. Rabada's overall record in knockout matches at ICC events continues to impress. He now has 11 wickets in five such matches, at an excellent average of 19.27. His five-for at Lord's on Wednesday is now his best performance in an ICC knockout game, taking him to third on South Africa's all-time list of wicket-takers in ICC knockouts, behind Jacques Kallis (14), and tied with Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald (12 each). Lord's has been a happy hunting ground for Rabada. In just three Tests at the venue, he has now picked up 18 wickets at a staggering average of 16.83 and a strike rate of 30.2. With his performance against Australia, he also moved ahead of Morne Morkel (15 wickets) to become the South African with the most Test wickets at Lord's. Furthermore, he became only the third South African bowler to take multiple five-wicket hauls at the historic ground, joining the elite company of Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"Means a lot to get past Allan Donald, what a legend": Rabada reflects on milestone after WTC final fifer
London [UK], June 11 (ANI): Kagiso Rabada etched another milestone into his illustrious career on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's, as he surpassed South African great Allan Donald to move into fourth place on South Africa's all-time list of Test wicket-takers. He pulled the Proteas back into the game, as he finished with 5/51 against Australia and dismantled them for 212 on Wednesday. 'Means a lot to get past Allan Donald, what a legend,' Rabada said after his outstanding spell. 'Primary is to keep running in and doing the job,' he said. Reflecting on the day and the atmosphere, Rabada added, 'Coming here about a week ago, could already feel the atmosphere. Great to see the support for us. Feels like a home game. Means a lot to play for South Africa. Given my all each and every time. Happy to do the job.' Speaking about the pitch conditions and the flow of the game, he noted, 'It was moving around a bit. With the new ball it seemed harder to score. As the ball got softer and they showed intent, they got some runs away. But you always felt that, on this wicket, especially with the way they were playing, any ball had their name on it.' With this performance, Rabada surpassed legendary fast bowler Allan Donald in the list of South Africa's highest wicket-takers in Test cricket. The 30-year-old now has 332 wickets in 71 Tests, overtaking Donald's tally of 330 wickets in 72 matches. Rabada now sits fourth on the all-time list of South African Test wicket-takers. His five-wicket haul also earned him a rare spot in the record books. Rabada became only the second bowler to take a five-for in a WTC final, following New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson, who achieved the feat against India in the 2021 final. Additionally, Rabada became just the second South African bowler after Jacques Kallis, who took 5/30 in the ICC Knockout Trophy final in 1998, to register a five-wicket haul in the final of a major ICC tournament. Rabada's overall record in knockout matches at ICC events continues to impress. He now has 11 wickets in five such matches, at an excellent average of 19.27. His five-for at Lord's on Wednesday is now his best performance in an ICC knockout game, taking him to third on South Africa's all-time list of wicket-takers in ICC knockouts, behind Jacques Kallis (14), and tied with Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald (12 each). Lord's has been a happy hunting ground for Rabada. In just three Tests at the venue, he has now picked up 18 wickets at a staggering average of 16.83 and a strike rate of 30.2. With his performance against Australia, he also moved ahead of Morne Morkel (15 wickets) to become the South African with the most Test wickets at Lord's. Furthermore, he became only the third South African bowler to take multiple five-wicket hauls at the historic ground, joining the elite company of Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini. (ANI)
