Australia pick full-strength squad for WTC final
Australia have picked a full-strength squad for the World Test Championship final against South Africa as they look to retain the trophy they won in 2023.
Cameron Green is in line to play his first Test in more than a year after recovering from back surgery, but the allrounder is only in contention as a batter.
After missing out on selection for both Tests in Sri Lanka, whiz kid Sam Konstas has been named in the 15-man squad.
Travis Head was preferred as Usman Khawaja's opening partner for that successful tour, but the reigning Allan Border Medallist will slot back into No.5 for the WTC final.
Konstas produced an eye-catching Test debut on Boxing Day, taking it up to Indian maestro Jasprit Bumrah.
Australia face selection dilemmas at the top, particularly if they elect to pick Green in the middle order.
Marnus Labuschagne, who has been below his best for more than two years, is an option to open with Khawaja.
That would mean Steve Smith, who has recaptured his best, could move up to No.3, then Green bats at No.4.
In Green's most recent Test back in March 2024, the towering West Australian batted at No.4, while Smith opened.
Star quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood both missed the tour of Sri Lanka, but were fit and firing in the Indian Premier League.
"We are fortunate and looking forward to having Pat (Cummins), Josh (Hazlewood) and Cam (Green) back in the squad,'' Australia's chairman of selectors George Bailey said on Tuesday.
"The team finished the WTC cycle with an impressive series victory in Sri Lanka following an equally strong summer in defeating India for the first time in a decade.
"Those series capped a consistent performance across the two-year cycle and now presents us with the incredibly exciting opportunity to defend the World Test Championship.
"It means a lot to the group to reach the final, and they are very much looking forward to the challenge South Africa will present at Lord's."
AUSTRALIA: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Scott Boland
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The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
No more 'opening-itis': Next man up for Aust at Lord's
Eighteen months after joking Marnus Labuschagne had "opening-itis", Usman Khawaja believes his Queensland teammate can fill the role for Australia's World Test Championship final. Khawaja is almost certain to have another new opening partner for the decider against South Africa at Lord's, starting on Wednesday. Since David Warner retired from Tests in January 2024, Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, and Travis Head have all joined Khawaja at the top of the order. Smith is locked in to bat at No.4, Konstas is unlikely to play, and Head will come in at No.5 as Australia gun for back-to-back WTC titles. Khawaja on Monday still joked Labuschagne wasn't over the "opening-itis" that eventually led to Smith being promoted to open for four Tests, but declared every Australian would do what was best for the team. "Beggars can't be choosers," Khawaja said at Lord's on Monday at a launch for Prime Video's exclusive Australian coverage of the WTC final. "So you just be humble that you're playing for Australia, and then you take what you get and you make the best out of it. "At the end of the day, it's a team game. "I know the best place for me to bat for the team is to open. "So I'm very happy to open and do my role for the team. "I'm sure if it's the same for Marnus, 100 per cent I know he'll take that." The opening dilemma comes at a flashpoint in Labuschagne's career. The 30-year-old hasn't scored a Test century since his 111 against England at Manchester in July 2023. Labuschagne made some important contributions as Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar trophy last summer, without converting an innings into three figures. He is undoubtedly the batter under the most pressure in Australia's top-six. "He's opened before. He started off for Queensland opening," Khawaja said. "You bat three, I think opening is an easier transition. "Marnus is a terrific player, so if he gets an opportunity, I'm sure he'll be fine." This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. Eighteen months after joking Marnus Labuschagne had "opening-itis", Usman Khawaja believes his Queensland teammate can fill the role for Australia's World Test Championship final. Khawaja is almost certain to have another new opening partner for the decider against South Africa at Lord's, starting on Wednesday. Since David Warner retired from Tests in January 2024, Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, and Travis Head have all joined Khawaja at the top of the order. Smith is locked in to bat at No.4, Konstas is unlikely to play, and Head will come in at No.5 as Australia gun for back-to-back WTC titles. Khawaja on Monday still joked Labuschagne wasn't over the "opening-itis" that eventually led to Smith being promoted to open for four Tests, but declared every Australian would do what was best for the team. "Beggars can't be choosers," Khawaja said at Lord's on Monday at a launch for Prime Video's exclusive Australian coverage of the WTC final. "So you just be humble that you're playing for Australia, and then you take what you get and you make the best out of it. "At the end of the day, it's a team game. "I know the best place for me to bat for the team is to open. "So I'm very happy to open and do my role for the team. "I'm sure if it's the same for Marnus, 100 per cent I know he'll take that." The opening dilemma comes at a flashpoint in Labuschagne's career. The 30-year-old hasn't scored a Test century since his 111 against England at Manchester in July 2023. Labuschagne made some important contributions as Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar trophy last summer, without converting an innings into three figures. He is undoubtedly the batter under the most pressure in Australia's top-six. "He's opened before. He started off for Queensland opening," Khawaja said. "You bat three, I think opening is an easier transition. "Marnus is a terrific player, so if he gets an opportunity, I'm sure he'll be fine." This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. Eighteen months after joking Marnus Labuschagne had "opening-itis", Usman Khawaja believes his Queensland teammate can fill the role for Australia's World Test Championship final. Khawaja is almost certain to have another new opening partner for the decider against South Africa at Lord's, starting on Wednesday. Since David Warner retired from Tests in January 2024, Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, and Travis Head have all joined Khawaja at the top of the order. Smith is locked in to bat at No.4, Konstas is unlikely to play, and Head will come in at No.5 as Australia gun for back-to-back WTC titles. Khawaja on Monday still joked Labuschagne wasn't over the "opening-itis" that eventually led to Smith being promoted to open for four Tests, but declared every Australian would do what was best for the team. "Beggars can't be choosers," Khawaja said at Lord's on Monday at a launch for Prime Video's exclusive Australian coverage of the WTC final. "So you just be humble that you're playing for Australia, and then you take what you get and you make the best out of it. "At the end of the day, it's a team game. "I know the best place for me to bat for the team is to open. "So I'm very happy to open and do my role for the team. "I'm sure if it's the same for Marnus, 100 per cent I know he'll take that." The opening dilemma comes at a flashpoint in Labuschagne's career. The 30-year-old hasn't scored a Test century since his 111 against England at Manchester in July 2023. Labuschagne made some important contributions as Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar trophy last summer, without converting an innings into three figures. He is undoubtedly the batter under the most pressure in Australia's top-six. "He's opened before. He started off for Queensland opening," Khawaja said. "You bat three, I think opening is an easier transition. "Marnus is a terrific player, so if he gets an opportunity, I'm sure he'll be fine." This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Beggars can't be choosers': Labuschagne on his last chance at Lord's
London: Usman Khawaja jokes that Marnus Labuschagne still has a case of 'openingitis' from two years ago, but believes that the number three will gratefully take what amounts to a last chance to retain his Test spot by shifting to the top of the order at Lord's this week. Labuschagne will almost certainly open the batting alongside Khawaja in the World Test Championship final on Wednesday, making room for Cameron Green to return to the side at three and keeping teenager Sam Konstas out of the 11. With plenty of eagerness among the selectors to return Konstas to the team, and the versatile Josh Inglis also nipping at the heels of the incumbents after making a debut Test hundred in Sri Lanka earlier in the year, Labuschagne needs to make in impact in the showpiece final against the Proteas. 'He's not over it no, but you don't always get to choose in Australia,' Khawaja said of the 'openingitis' gag that he made when Labuschagne was being spoken of as possible replacement for David Warner. 'We've got six of the best batsmen in the country, plenty of times where I'd prefer to bat in other positions, but beggars can't be choosers. 'So you just be humble that you're playing for Australia and you take what you get and make the most out of it. It's a team game and I know the best place to bat for the team is to open, so I'm very happy to open and do my thing. I'm sure if it's the same for Marnus [and] he will 100 per cent take that role. An opener can get out first ball then you're batting with number three anyway. So it's not that big a deal.' Labuschagne will be Khawaja's fifth opeing partner in nine Tests after Steve Smith (now reinstated to number four), Nathan McSweeney, Konstas and Travis Head. Loading 'Opening has been a revolving door for a long time, but I think it just shows you how hard opening is,' Khawaja said. 'It's not an easy place to bat. Davey had a lot of opening partners, and I've had a few since Davey's gone. It's just a tough place to bat. Test cricket is the hardest cauldron there is, there's nowhere to hide.' There is some symmetry to Labuschagne's arrival at Lord's with his Test place in danger. It was here in 2019 that he made a memorable Ashes introduction as a concussion substitute for Smith, helping to save a game for Australia with a sturdy half century after getting smashed on the helmet grille by Jofra Archer.
The Age
6 hours ago
- The Age
‘Beggars can't be choosers': Labuschagne on his last chance at Lord's
London: Usman Khawaja jokes that Marnus Labuschagne still has a case of 'openingitis' from two years ago, but believes that the number three will gratefully take what amounts to a last chance to retain his Test spot by shifting to the top of the order at Lord's this week. Labuschagne will almost certainly open the batting alongside Khawaja in the World Test Championship final on Wednesday, making room for Cameron Green to return to the side at three and keeping teenager Sam Konstas out of the 11. With plenty of eagerness among the selectors to return Konstas to the team, and the versatile Josh Inglis also nipping at the heels of the incumbents after making a debut Test hundred in Sri Lanka earlier in the year, Labuschagne needs to make in impact in the showpiece final against the Proteas. 'He's not over it no, but you don't always get to choose in Australia,' Khawaja said of the 'openingitis' gag that he made when Labuschagne was being spoken of as possible replacement for David Warner. 'We've got six of the best batsmen in the country, plenty of times where I'd prefer to bat in other positions, but beggars can't be choosers. 'So you just be humble that you're playing for Australia and you take what you get and make the most out of it. It's a team game and I know the best place to bat for the team is to open, so I'm very happy to open and do my thing. I'm sure if it's the same for Marnus [and] he will 100 per cent take that role. An opener can get out first ball then you're batting with number three anyway. So it's not that big a deal.' Labuschagne will be Khawaja's fifth opeing partner in nine Tests after Steve Smith (now reinstated to number four), Nathan McSweeney, Konstas and Travis Head. Loading 'Opening has been a revolving door for a long time, but I think it just shows you how hard opening is,' Khawaja said. 'It's not an easy place to bat. Davey had a lot of opening partners, and I've had a few since Davey's gone. It's just a tough place to bat. Test cricket is the hardest cauldron there is, there's nowhere to hide.' There is some symmetry to Labuschagne's arrival at Lord's with his Test place in danger. It was here in 2019 that he made a memorable Ashes introduction as a concussion substitute for Smith, helping to save a game for Australia with a sturdy half century after getting smashed on the helmet grille by Jofra Archer.
