"He deserved a spot in batting line-up": Pat Cummins on Cameron Green's spot in WTC final playing 11
London [UK], June 10 (ANI): Ahead of their clash against South Africa (SA) in the World Test Championship Final 2025, on June 11 Australia captain Pat Cummins believed that Aussie batter Camreon Green earned a spot in the batting lineup due to his recent good form, and the team thought batting at number three would suit him well.
'Cam Green, the last few weeks he's had, coming back in great form, we thought he deserved a spot in the batting line-up. We thought three probably suits him best. And then, with Marnus moving, we thought it's one spot up really. It's not too different to batting three. He's done well here in England in the past,' Pat Cummins said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.
Cummins believed that Australian selectors are giving Marnus Labuschagne more opportunities because he has played a crucial role in getting the team to where they are now, and they are rewarding his contributions.
'I think our selectors are probably showing that they're happy to give someone an extra little run rather than pull the pin too early. He's [Marnus Labuschagne] played some crucial knocks in getting us here. Look back at the MCG [against India], his batting was right up there as a difference in that match. I think it's part of rewarding those guys who have got us here,' he added.
Labuschagne has made only 935 runs in 36 innings with a best score of 111 at an average of 28.33, including a century and eight fifties, in the ongoing WTC cycle. Green will play his first Test since back surgery, while Beau Webster retains his spot in the XI and will provide the bowlers some support with his medium pace and spin options.
Australia hasn't lost a Test series in the past two years, winning away in New Zealand and Sri Lanka while retaining the Ashes in England in 2023.
They also defeated Pakistan and India at home, along with a draw against the West Indies, to secure a spot in the WTC decider against the Proteas. With Australia entering their second consecutive WTC final and South Africa making their first appearance, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Australia playing 11 for WTC Final: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
28 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Gautam Gambhir uses Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin to shake things up, tells players 'there are only two ways...'
India's five-Test series against England starting June 20 should be about two teams battling for supremacy in what is expected to be a riveting contest. Yet somehow, the build-up of the series seems to revolve mainly around those who are gone. India will be without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, all three of whom have announced their retirement from Test cricket. So, while taking nothing away from their legendary careers and all that they have achieved for Indian cricket, it's time to move on and focus on the next generation of cricketers. Because the fact of the matter is simple: Indian cricket needs to look forward to a batter tomorrow, and while the squad at hand may not be rich in experience, these players are not sitting ducks either. With eight days to go for the series opener at Leeds, head coach Gautam Gambhir assembled his bunch of players and made them understand the gravity of the situation. Either they can sit back and sulk that India are without three of their biggest cricketers or take this opportunity to prove the world otherwise. Also Read: Shubman Gill's latest MRF bat irks fans; 'Sachin Tendulkar never wrote GOD, Virat Kohli never used KING' "All I want to say is there are only two ways of looking at this tour. One is we are without three most experienced players, or we've got this phenomenal opportunity to do something special for the country. When I look around in this group, I think we have the hunger and the passion and the commitment to do it. If we make sacrifices, come out of our comfort zone. If we start fighting, not everyday but every session, every hour, every ball, we can have a memorable tour," Gambhir said in a video uploaded by the BCCI. At the end of the day, India will have to work with what they got. And it's not a squad of just some A-team specialist. A lot of these players – KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have played Test matches in England before. In fact, this is their third Test tour of England, having participated in the 2018 and 2021 series. Even Karun Nair, who made his much-awaited comeback to India's Test squad after seven years, was part of the squad in 2018. The series promises to be a litmus test for him, as for the two newcomers. Gambhir gave a rousing welcome to all three of them, along with the newly-appointed leaders of the Indian team. "First Test calls are always very special, so I want to welcome Sai (Sudharsan), who had a fabulous last three months. Make sure you have a very very successful red-ball career. I want to welcome Arshdeep (Singh), you've been phenomenal with white ball cricket, I am sure, with a red-ball in your hand, you will make it count," Gambhir added. "Guys, lastly, comebacks are never easy. Someone who made a comeback after 7 years. Had a phenomenal last year, the amount of runs you scored. Most importantly, that never die attitude, never giving up attitude got you in the team. That is something which is inspiring for this entire group. I want to congratulate Shubman as well. There is no bigger honour in the country to lead your Test team. Congratulations. Rishabh as well, who is part of the leadership group now. Well done."
India Today
38 minutes ago
- India Today
Delhi boils: IMD issues red alert as temperatures soar to 45°C
7:42 South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada acknowledged that his team hasn't got off to the best of starts with the bat on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2025. Rabada helped South Africa dismiss Australia for 212, and they later finished the day on 43/4.
India Today
38 minutes ago
- India Today
Shocking hit-and-run in Patna: Car rams into cops, killing one officer
7:42 South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada acknowledged that his team hasn't got off to the best of starts with the bat on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2025. Rabada helped South Africa dismiss Australia for 212, and they later finished the day on 43/4.
