New opener confirmed for Australia's WTC final
Marnus Labuschagne has been picked over Sam Konstas to be Usman Khawaja's opening partner for Australia's World Test Championship final at Lord's.
The 30-year-old will move up from No.3 to open for the first time at Test level as Australia seek back-to-back WTC titles.
Since David Warner retired from Tests in January 2024, Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Konstas, and Travis Head have each joined Khawaja at the top of the order.
Towering allrounder Cameron Green, who hasn't played a Test since March 2024 after having major back surgery, will slot into the coveted No.3 spot.
Green, who won't bowl until later this year, made it impossible for selectors not to pick him after smashing three centuries in a five-game County stint with Gloucestershire.
"Cam Green, the last few weeks he's had, coming back in great form, we thought he deserved a spot somewhere in the batting line-up," Australia captain Pat Cummins said at Lord's on Tuesday.
"We thought three probably suits him best.
"With Marnus moving, we thought it's one spot up, it's not too different to batting three.
"He's done well here in England in the past.
"It's a final, so selectors pick the best 11 for this week."
Teenager Konstas, who burst onto the scene with a blistering debut last Boxing Day, still remains firmly part of Australia's future.
After the WTC final, Australia will play three Tests against the West Indies in the Caribbean, under vastly different conditions to Lord's.
Josh Hazlewood has won the race for the third fast bowling spot and will play his first Test since December.
The 34-year-old broke down with a calf injury against India at the Gabba, but has returned in what he described as career-best form in a title-winning campaign for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.
Workhorse quick Scott Boland, who was player-of-the-match when Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar trophy at the SCG in January, misses out.
"There are some guys where you genuinely say, 'You've done nothing wrong, don't change a thing'," said pace bowling skipper Cummins.
"Scotty is just really unfortunate to miss out.
"Joshy Hazlewood comes back in. We know how good he is.
"The message to Scotty is there's a lot of Test cricket coming up in the next couple of years, and just because you're mid-30s, doesn't mean you know you're missing this Test, and that's one Test off your career.
"By having a squad of fast bowlers, hopefully we can extend all our careers for an extra couple of years.
"It's really unfortunate Scotty misses this but the message to him is, 'Don't feel like you're running out of time'."
South Africa, who enter the match as rank underdogs, have also picked their XI.
Bustling right-arm quick Lungi Ngidi will return to partner star fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen.
Seamer Dane Paterson misses out, despite taking six wickets in a thrilling win over Pakistan last December.
"It was probably one of the tougher decisions that have been made; we've seen what Pato did for us to the end of last season," Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said.
"But it was more from a tactical point of view. A little bit more pace from Lungi, he's taller as well."
AUSTRALIA: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.
This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.
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News.com.au
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
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'Oh, man!' - Proteas ruing crucial miss in WTC final
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This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. South Africa are ruing a costly non-review after Australia's pace juggernaut hit back during a rollicking first day of the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Kagsio Rabada (5-51) threw a mighty first punch, justifying Proteas captain Temba Bavuma's call to bowl first with his 17th five-wicket haul to help skittle Australia for 212. But rank underdogs South Africa, aiming to break a 27-year title drought in ICC tournaments, were left reeling at 4-43 by stumps. Their batters left the famous London venue in a daze on Wednesday evening (Thursday AEST) following a masterful final session of bowling from Australia's famed pace trio - Mitchell Starc (2-10), Pat Cummins (1-14), and Josh Hazlewood (1-10). South Africa earlier used two unsuccessful reviews on allrounder Beau Webster - which were ruled as umpire's call - but failed to refer a third which would have had the towering Tasmanian trapped lbw for only eight. No.6 Webster, in just his fourth Test, went on to top score for Australia with a career-best 72. Their eventual total could have been well below 200 had Webster departed early given Australia lost 5-20 to end their innings. "(Squad member) Corbin Bosch came down to fine leg, and he says it was out," Rabada recalled when he discovered the Proteas had blown an opportunity. "I was like, 'oh man!'. It was a bit annoying. "He (Webster) didn't start off too well out there. "Looked like he was going to get out any ball, but I guess his positive intent got him through." Steve Smith (66) was still coughing after battling through flu to put on a crucial 79-run stand with Webster after Australia were limping at 4-67. "It looked pretty good to me from the other end. I don't know what happened actually," Smith said of South Africa not using a review. "I know Beau was in a little bit of pain; I don't think it actually hit his pad, I think it just hit his leg. "They had a chance to use a referral and didn't." Bavuma (three) will resume in the middle on Thursday with David Bedingham (eight). Smith, who became the highest-scoring visiting batter in Tests at Lord's, was left fuming at himself for falling to part-time spinner Aiden Markram when in reach of a 37th century. "I'm still trying to fathom how I've done that," said Smith, putting his head into his hands. It was all about the Rabada redemption story early in the day, running riot underneath overcast skies in London by taking two wickets in four balls. Rabada, in his first Test since serving a one-month ban for testing positive to cocaine, removed Usman Khawaja (a 20-ball duck) and Cameron Green (four) in the seventh over. In his first Test since March 2024, fit-again Green hit his first delivery to the boundary at fine leg in a promising start. But the 26-year-old was gone just two balls later, edging a Rabada rocket to slips where he was superbly caught by Markram. Marnus Labuschagne, in his first innings as a Test opener, started brightly to get through until drinks. But as he often has during the last two years, the under-pressure Queenslander struggled to keep the score ticking over. Labuschagne got caught between playing a shot and leaving a Marco Jansen delivery, nicking off for 17 from 56 balls. The 30-year-old, who was once described as having "opening-itis", won the battle to be Khawaja's fifth opening partner in 18 months over teenager Sam Konstas. The spectre of Konstas, one of Australian cricket's rising stars, will now loom even larger for the upcoming three-Test tour of the West Indies. Labuschagne's last Test century came back in July 2023 at Manchester. Travis Head, who starred with a matchwinning 163 in Australia's WTC final triumph in 2023, was out on the final ball before lunch after wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne hung on to a screamer. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. South Africa are ruing a costly non-review after Australia's pace juggernaut hit back during a rollicking first day of the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Kagsio Rabada (5-51) threw a mighty first punch, justifying Proteas captain Temba Bavuma's call to bowl first with his 17th five-wicket haul to help skittle Australia for 212. But rank underdogs South Africa, aiming to break a 27-year title drought in ICC tournaments, were left reeling at 4-43 by stumps. Their batters left the famous London venue in a daze on Wednesday evening (Thursday AEST) following a masterful final session of bowling from Australia's famed pace trio - Mitchell Starc (2-10), Pat Cummins (1-14), and Josh Hazlewood (1-10). South Africa earlier used two unsuccessful reviews on allrounder Beau Webster - which were ruled as umpire's call - but failed to refer a third which would have had the towering Tasmanian trapped lbw for only eight. No.6 Webster, in just his fourth Test, went on to top score for Australia with a career-best 72. Their eventual total could have been well below 200 had Webster departed early given Australia lost 5-20 to end their innings. "(Squad member) Corbin Bosch came down to fine leg, and he says it was out," Rabada recalled when he discovered the Proteas had blown an opportunity. "I was like, 'oh man!'. It was a bit annoying. "He (Webster) didn't start off too well out there. "Looked like he was going to get out any ball, but I guess his positive intent got him through." Steve Smith (66) was still coughing after battling through flu to put on a crucial 79-run stand with Webster after Australia were limping at 4-67. "It looked pretty good to me from the other end. I don't know what happened actually," Smith said of South Africa not using a review. "I know Beau was in a little bit of pain; I don't think it actually hit his pad, I think it just hit his leg. "They had a chance to use a referral and didn't." Bavuma (three) will resume in the middle on Thursday with David Bedingham (eight). Smith, who became the highest-scoring visiting batter in Tests at Lord's, was left fuming at himself for falling to part-time spinner Aiden Markram when in reach of a 37th century. "I'm still trying to fathom how I've done that," said Smith, putting his head into his hands. It was all about the Rabada redemption story early in the day, running riot underneath overcast skies in London by taking two wickets in four balls. Rabada, in his first Test since serving a one-month ban for testing positive to cocaine, removed Usman Khawaja (a 20-ball duck) and Cameron Green (four) in the seventh over. In his first Test since March 2024, fit-again Green hit his first delivery to the boundary at fine leg in a promising start. But the 26-year-old was gone just two balls later, edging a Rabada rocket to slips where he was superbly caught by Markram. Marnus Labuschagne, in his first innings as a Test opener, started brightly to get through until drinks. But as he often has during the last two years, the under-pressure Queenslander struggled to keep the score ticking over. Labuschagne got caught between playing a shot and leaving a Marco Jansen delivery, nicking off for 17 from 56 balls. The 30-year-old, who was once described as having "opening-itis", won the battle to be Khawaja's fifth opening partner in 18 months over teenager Sam Konstas. The spectre of Konstas, one of Australian cricket's rising stars, will now loom even larger for the upcoming three-Test tour of the West Indies. Labuschagne's last Test century came back in July 2023 at Manchester. Travis Head, who starred with a matchwinning 163 in Australia's WTC final triumph in 2023, was out on the final ball before lunch after wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne hung on to a screamer. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.
The Australian
2 hours ago
- The Australian
Australia v South Africa: Mitchell Starc strikes after Rabada heroics
Mitchell Starc has put Australia's World Cup bunnies back where they want them as South Africa failed to capitalise on two blunders from Alex Carey and were left to rue a game-changing howler of their own. On a wildly eventful day one of the World Test Championship Final, South Africa came out throwing punches thanks to a five-wicket masterclass from Kagiso Rabada, but by stumps they were the ones up against the ropes gasping for air at 4-43 as Australia's heavyweight quicks hit back with interest. Bowling first under lights on gloomy skies was South Africa's best ticket to breaking their World Cup hoodoo, but despite executing that plan well, it didn't take long for the chasm between the two batting line-ups to be brutally exposed and by the end of play the final looked like a mismatch. MORE > South Africa 'spooked', Carey's gift: Moments that shaped day one Mitchell Starc has put Australia's World Cup bunnies back where they want them. Picture: AP Unheralded allrounder Beau Webster made a critical 72 to help Australia to 212, but should have been out for 8 had South Africa reviewed in what was the massive turning point of the day. Steve Smith, who along with Webster made an important 66, praised warhorse Starc (2-10) as well as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for turning the tables on South Africa who now trail by 169 with six wickets in hand. 'They've done it for a long time haven't they. Today was no different. They all bowled really nicely,' Smith said. 'When you know you've only got a couple of hours to bowl in the night you can probably give a little bit more knowing you're going to have a break afterwards. 'The boys bowled a couple of long spells. 'They keep coming again and again and have done it for a long time. 'I looked up today and kind of forget every now and then Starcy has played 97 Tests which is a hell of an effort for a fast bowler. 'He's just relentless with his body. He's a tough character. He bowls through a lot of pain. The three have been great and hopefully they can come again in the morning and make a few early inroads.' Back in the infamous 1999 World Cup semi-final, folklore says Steve Waugh famously asked South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs 'How does it feel to drop the World Cup? On Wednesday despite being flawless in so many other areas, South Africa were forced to ask themselves if they'd failed to review the World Cup, after giving a free pass to Webster on a day when bowling dominated haphazard batting. Beau Webster was in trouble early against Kagiso Rabada. Picture: AFP Australia's innings was hanging in the balance at 4-90 when Webster was hit on the pads and South Africa virtually declined to appeal let alone review, only for replays to show the Tasmanian would have been out dead to rights. The proactive 72 Beau was able to muster from there now looks critical with South Africa's struggle to score epitomised by captain Temba Bavuma who has faced 37 balls for his 3 not out. Beau Webster made South Africa pay for failing to review an LBW appeal. Picture: Getty Images Rabada admitted at stumps South Africa should have bowled Australia out for 160. Smith, who had an inexplicable blooper of his own falling to part-time spinner Aiden Markram, admitted he was stunned South Africa didn't go up when Webster was smashed on the leg right in front. 'It looked pretty good to me from the other end,' Smith said. South Africa came out throwing punches thanks to a five-wicket masterclass from Kagiso Rabada. Picture: Getty Images '… Someone said they saw Rabada shape to say he might have hit it. It certainly didn't look like that from my view. 'But I was surprised they didn't appeal more. I don't think many people went up to be honest. 'From where I was I thought that looked pretty good. They had a chance to use a referral and didn't.' Australia had some forgettable moments themselves. None more so than Carey trying to reverse sweep after tea only to be bowled by a full toss to squander Australia's chance to build towards a total of 300 and open the door for South Africa to run through the tail. Carey opened it again when he dropped Proteas No.3 Wiaan Mulder when he was on just 1 with absolute sitter to Starc which would have left South Africa 2-8. However, while Webster made South Africa pay for their error, the difference was the Proteas could not make the most of Carey's blunder with Mulder facing another 34 balls and adding just five to the scoreboard before he had his stumps rearranged by Pat Cummins. Carey suffered a tumultuous time at Lord's back in 2023 when he was relentlessly booed for the stumping of Jonny Bairstow and it was a forgettable return for a man player who has been in such outstanding form for Australia in recent times. Smith defended Carey's keeping mistake. 'He was fine after. I think it was just one of those ones that just swung a little bit on him which can happen with the Duke's ball,' Smith said. 'It's a tricky place to catch behind the wicket sometimes when the ball does that. He's been keeping so well the last two years. We're all allowed to drop them every now and then.' South Africa caught brilliantly in contrast and as a result had Australia 4-67 at lunch with Rabada (5-51) and Marco Jansen (3-49) the architects which left Marnus Labuschagne's place in the team hanging by a thread (17 off 56). Replay all the action from Day 1 in the blog below.
