Sam Konstas, Scott Boland left out of Australian XI for World Test Championship final

News.com.au

a day ago

Sam Konstas and Scott Boland have been left out of Australia's XI for the World Test Championship final against South Africa.
Australia are big favourites to secure a second mace against the Proteas as the WTC final gets underway on Wednesday night Australian time at Lord's, but picking the team hasn't been straightforward.
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Series wins over India and Sri Lanka have posed some selection dilemmas for Australia, with the emergence of Konstas, Boland's consistent wicket-taking and Cameron Green's return from injury creating no shortage of headaches for head selector George Bailey.
Konstas famously turned the series against India on its head with his blistering half century at the Boxing Day Test, playing ramp shots to Jasprit Bumrah's bowling.
The 19-year-old didn't play on the tour of Sri Lanka and now he has been made to bide his time again.
Konstas looked rocked solid in training against quick bowling, prompting former Aussie opener Matt Hayden to comment: 'How good did Sam Konstas look in these clips.'
But Australia have opted to back in Marnus Labuschagne to open the batting as Usman Khawaja's partner at the top of the order, leaving Konstas out of the XI.
Labuschagne has been struggling for form at Test level and County Cricket, with his last Test century coming against England in July 2023.
Australian captain Pat Cummins backed in Labuschagne to perform, explaining the batter's contribution over the WTC cycle played a part in his selection.
'I think it's part of the factor. He is a somewhat known quantity (and) our selectors are probably showing that they're happy to … give someone an extra little run rather than pull the pin too early,' Cummins said.
'Marns, again, he's played some crucial knocks in getting us here. You look back to the MCG (against India) and his batting was right up there as a difference in that match. So, yeah, I think it's partly (about) rewarding those guys who got us here.'
Cummins emphasised Konstas would get his chance soon enough, with a tour of the West Indies and a home Ashes series on the horizon.
'Realistically, he's really young,' Cummins said.
'He's got a long career ahead of him. So hopefully even by not playing, (by) being in Sri Lanka and here, they're learning opportunities.
'But at the same time, you've got guys like Beau Webster, who are starting out their test career as well. Obviously, Cam Green comes back in here. Josh Inglis got a chance to start his Test career as well.
'So I think it's a good problem that we have three or four guys who are all right on the fringe of, on the cusp, of getting a good run in Test cricket.'
Labuschagne will be the fifth opening batting partner for Khawaja in the past 18 months.
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.
Elsewhere in the team, Green will bat at No. 3 with Steve Smith at his favoured No. 4, while Beau Webster has been picked as the all-rounder.
Green has been plundering centuries in County Cricket and is likely to be a batter only as he returns from back surgery that ruled him out of the home summer.
Scott Boland can consider himself unlucky to miss out as Josh Hazlewood comes into the bowling line-up.
Boland picked up a 10-wicket haul against India at the SCG in January, but the veteran quick has been overlooked for the one-off game against South Africa.
'Joshy comes back in and we know how good he is,' Cummins said.
'But I think the message to Scotty is that there's a lot of Test cricket coming up over the next couple of years and just because you're in your mid 30s doesn't mean you're missing this Test and that's one Test off your career.
'I think by having a squad of fast bowlers, hopefully we can extend all our careers for an extra couple of years. It is really unfortunate Scotty misses this but the message to him is, 'Don't feel like you're running out of time.' He's still got lots of time, hopefully, in his career.'
Australia XI: Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
How to watch the World Test Championship final
The World Test Championship final can be watched in Australia on Amazon Prime Video.
The service requires a subscription to watch the final. Prime offers a 30-day free trial for new users.
The final will be heard on SEN Radio and ABC Sport Radio.
2021-2023: Australia