Australia favourites to retain WTC crown against South Africa
LONDON : Australia will have to dust off the cobwebs but are still fancied to successfully defend their World Test Championship crown against equally ring-rusty South Africa in the final at Lord's, starting on Wednesday.
The five-day clash comes on the heels of a plethora of limited overs cricket over the last five months and both teams have been scrambling to prepare for a high-profile return to the red-ball game.
Australia have not played a test since beating Sri Lanka in Galle in February when they made sure of a top-two finish in the standings from results for the 2023-25 WTC cycle.
South Africa were assured of top place when they won their last test against Pakistan at home in January to book a first-ever finals appearance.
It came on the back of a run of seven successive wins, but the fact they did not play against the Aussies or England has seen their achievement dismissed as too easy.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said they reached the final "on the back of beating pretty much nobody," which was a result of the lopsided test schedule where Australia, England, and India dominate and South Africa elect to play more financially lucrative limited-overs internationals.
But an upset win for South Africa could change that.
"It's the biggest thing in this team's existence. It's the biggest thing for South African cricket at the moment,' said their coach Shukri Conrad.
SELECTION CHOICES
Australia have been warming up with training sessions at Beckenham in Kent as they grapple with selection choices.
They must pick between Scott Boland or Josh Hazlewood to join skipper Pat Cummins, left-armer Mitchell Starc and spinner Nathan Lyon in the attack'
The top batting order is likely to be changed with Cameron Green set to return for his first test in more than a year. He will likely bat third with Marnus Labuschagne opening alongside Usman Khawaja, while Steve Smith will come in at No. 4.
South Africa's planned four-day warm-up scrimmage with Zimbabwe at Arundel last week was largely washed out but did hint at Wiaan Mulder moving up the order to No.3 in a batting lineup that has been inconsistent over the last two years.
Their hopes rest instead on a fiery bowling attack where Kagiso Rabada features after serving a one-month ban for recreational drug use.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Fiji name strong squad for Australia and Scotland tests
Fiji coach Mick Byrne promised Australia and Scotland tough tests after naming a strong squad featuring 15 European-based players for the July clashes with the tier-one nations on Pacific islanders will play the Wallabies in Newcastle on July 6 in Australia's only warm-up match for the British & Irish Lions test series before hosting the Scots in Suva the following weekend. "We've announced a squad which is as strong as we're able to select, so that's excellent," said Byrne. "We're really looking forward to going over to Australia and putting on a great performance against the Wallabies and then coming home and playing against Scotland. "Both Australia and Scotland are established tier-one sides, and we know the level we need to rise to. This squad reflects our depth, strength, and we will give a performance that will make all Fijians proud." New Zealand-born former All Blacks sevens winger Salesi Rayasi, who now plays for French club RC Vannes, was included for the first time after switching national allegiance. His father Filipe played 13 times for Fiji in the 1990s. Alongside the 10 players who play their club rugby in France and five in England, the 32-man squad features a core of 13 players from the Fijian Drua Super Rugby team. "We've focused on combinations that give us both tactical adaptability and the trademark Fijian spirit," Byrne said. "We want to win – but more importantly, we want to win playing our brand of rugby." Australian Byrne, who coached the Drua until last year, said Fiji's likely inclusion in the Nations Cup meant they needed to start thinking and acting like a tier-one country. "We now need to step up as an organisation and a group of players and address the fact that we are now tier one," he added. Forwards - Eroni Mawi, Luke Tagi, Haereiti Hetet, Mesake Doge, Peni Ravai, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuel Mativesi, Kavaia Tagivetaua, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua, Setareki Turagacoke, Viliame Mata, Elia Canakaivata, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Albert Tuisue, Etonia Waqa, Motikai Murray. Backs - Simione Kuruvoli, Philip Baselala, Sam Wye, Caleb Muntz, Isaia Armstrong-Ravula, Vilimoni Botitu, Josua Tuisova, Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki, Sireli Maqala, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Ponipate Loganimasi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Salesi Rayasi.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
India tell Reddy to be ready for bigger bowling workload in England
India's bowling attack will need regular contributions from all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy on the tour of England with Mohammed Shami absent due to fitness concerns and Jasprit Bumrah's workload to be managed, bowling coach Morne Morkel said. Team management have said pace spearhead Bumrah is likely to play only three of the five tests in the series, which begins on June 20 in Leeds, with seam-bowling all-rounders Reddy and Shardul Thakur on standby to fill any gaps. Morkel said he had challenged Reddy to bowl a bit more. "He's a guy that can bowl that magical ball, so for him it's about creating that consistency, it's something we want to work on, it's important for his game as well," he said after India's practice session in Beckenham on Wednesday. "I want to see the ball more in his hands, we all know what he can do with the bat. "For a team, if we can have the bowling options especially in these conditions, I think he'll be exciting and can complement this bowling attack." Reddy has five wickets from five tests - all in Australia. Bumrah, whenever fit, and Mohammed Siraj are the only automatic picks in the pace attack, while India can also turn to seamers Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna. Against an England side renowned for their ultra-aggressive batting, India bowlers will have to make an immediate impact and Morkel was pleased with their level of preparedness. "England, the brand of cricket they play, we need to be on top of our game," the former South Africa quick said. "We can't afford (time) to find our feet in this series. That's one of the things that has impressed me so much in the two days, the few sessions we've had. "The guys have stepped up by themselves, they've taken the ownership and responsibility, they've realised it's going to be a tough tour."
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Straits Times
Australia topple S Africa top order to take charge of WTC final
LONDON - South Africa were reeling on 43-4 at stumps on the first day of the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Wednesday after dismissing defending champions Australia for 212. Seamer Kagiso Rabada took 5-51 as South Africa's bowling unit made a strong start to the match but their inexperienced batting line-up came under fire as soon as they began their reply. Australia's fast bowling attack proved as fearsome as anything South Africa had to offer and by the close of play they were firmly in command. "I think we're in a good spot. We've probably had a few missed opportunities with the bat to try and get a bigger total, but I think the wicket's offered something all day," said Australia's Steve Smith. South Africa trail Australia by 169 runs after a day on which 14 wickets fell and captain Temba Bavuma (3) and David Bedingham (8) will resume on Thursday with a daunting task ahead. "We feel there is a lot of opportunity still left in the contest," Rabada said. A see-saw contest started with South Africa's decision to put Australia in to bat in a calculated gamble on a good pitch but with cloudy conditions that Bavuma sought to capitalise on. It was vindicated when Rabada and Marco Jansen took two wickets each to leave Australia struggling on 67-4 at lunch, with Marnus Labuschagne's first innings as an opener ending after 17 runs and the returning Cameron Green lasting only three balls. When the sun came out at the start of the second session, however, Smith and Beau Webster added 79 runs for the fifth wicket before Smith was dismissed by part-time spinner Aiden Markram for 66. It was the only wicket to fall in the afternoon session as Australia advanced to 190-5 at tea, only for fortunes to swing back South Africa's way after tea as they took Australia's last five wickets for 22 runs in 6.4 overs. Keshav Maharaj bowled Alex Carey (23) attempting an injudicious stroke, followed by two wickets for Rabada who removed Pat Cummins for one and induced Webster into a thick edge with extra bounce. Webster top scored with a test-best 72 in his fourth appearance for Australia. Jansen bowled Nathan Lyon to end with figures of 3-49 and Rabada completed his five-wicket haul by castling Mitchell Starc. South Africa came in to bat with 90 minutes left in the day's play and lost Markram in their first over as he chopped the ball onto his boot and then the stumps to give Starc a first wicket. The left-armer also snagged Ryan Rickelton for 16, encouraged into a drive and well caught by Usman Khawaja at first slip, as South Africa fell to 19-2. Wiaan Mulder, dropped on one, lasted 44 balls but made only six runs as he looked thoroughly uncomfortable after being promoted to number three in the order and Tristan Stubbs was clean bowled by Josh Hazlewood for two shortly before the close. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
