How to watch Australia vs South Africa, World Test Championship final at Lords
Australia attempts to become the first team in history to win the World Test Championship twice tonight, defending the title they claimed in 2023.
The Aussies have descended on Lords to stake on South Africa for the ICC crown.
The first ball is set for 7:30pm AEST.
How to watch
The exclusive rights to ICC events now belong to Amazon Prime Video, thanks to a broadcast deal that runs from 2024 to 2027.
The whole Test will be streamed live on Prime.
Konstas out
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.
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.
Marnus to open
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.
South Africa sees a crack
South Africa have seized on Australia's gamble to open with Labuschagne, declaring there's an 'opportunity' to expose the defending champions.
He will be Usman Khawaja fifth opening partner since David Warner's retirement, while Cameron Green has been elevated to No. 3 in his Test match return.
With a swinging Dukes ball in the hand of Proteas superstar quick Kagiso Rabada, South African captain Temba Bavuma was hoping to exploit the new-look Australian top three.
'I think there is an opportunity there,' Bavuma said when asked about Australia's opening situation.
'I think the conditions as well, I believe, bring us into the game a lot. With the swinging ball, (it's) very different to Australian conditions. Different to South African conditions as well, so that definitely gives us an opportunity.'
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