Latest news with #AustraliaVsSouthAfrica
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Labuschagne to open for Australia in Test final
World Test Championship finalVenue: Lord's Dates: 11-15 June Time: 10:30 BSTCoverage: Ball-by-ball radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. In-play video clips and text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Marnus Labuschagne will open the batting for Australia in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's, starting on has never opened in Test cricket and moves up from number three, which will be occupied by the returning Cameron moving to the top of the order, Labuschagne becomes Usman Khawaja's fifth different opening partner since David Warner retired at the beginning of Beau Webster keeps his place at number six and Josh Hazlewood gets the nod over fellow pace bowler Scott Africa have preferred Lungi Ngidi to Dane Paterson in their pace attack, while Kagiso Rabada plays his first Test after serving a one-month ban for cocaine use earlier this year. ——————————————————— Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. ——————————————————— Australia are looking to defend the title the won by beating India in the final at The Oval two years rotating cast of openers used since Warner called time on his Test career has included Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Travis Head and Sam Smith and Head are back in their usual middle-order slots, 19-year-old Konstas has been overlooked, as has Leeds-born Josh Inglis, who made a century on debut against Sri Lanka in Green has been out with a back injury and returns as a specialist batter. His presence creates a logjam in the middle-order, meaning Labuschagne is asked to move 31-year-old has been in indifferent form, having not made a Test hundred since the fourth Ashes Test of competition for places high, he is fighting to retain his spot for the Ashes series in Australia later this year. After the final, Australia head to the Caribbean for three Tests against West has previously opened on 15 occasions in first-class cricket, but not since 2016."With Marnus moving, we thought it's one spot up really. It's not too different to batting three," said Australia captain Pat Cummins. "Marnus has experience, he has done well here at Lord's and in England in general."The bowling picture was made clear once Hazlewood, who has struggled with injuries in the recent past, proved his 34-year-old missed the final two years ago, but arrives in London after being part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team that won the Indian Premier joins a familiar-looking attack including fellow seamer Cummins, left-armer Mitchell Starc and off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Webster can provide support with either seam or off-spin. Proteas aim for glory at last South Africa are aiming to finally to get their hands on a senior global title after a string of recently the Proteas were beaten in the final of the men's T20 World Cup in 2024, when the game against India was in their route to the final, and therefore the format of the Championship itself, has been questioned. South Africa finished top of the table having played 12 Tests, compared to the 19 of Australia and India, and 22 of Temba Bavuma's men have the opportunity to become only the third team crowned Test champions, after Australia and inaugural winners New have retained all-rounder Wiann Mulder at number three, with his option to bowl seam influencing the decision to select Ngidi over Paterson."It's probably one of the tougher decisions that has been made," said captain Bavuma. "But it was more from a tactical point of view. There's probably a little bit more pace from Lungi, he's a bit taller as well."He will complement that bowling attack a little more. We have a guy like Mulder, who can give us something similar like Patto."
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three key battles in World Test Championship final
Reigning champions Australia face South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's, starting on Wednesday. Below AFP Sport looks at three key contests that could determine the course of the showpiece game: Advertisement Tough times loom for top-orders Batsmen on both sides face a tough examination given the quality of fast bowlers on show. Australia captain Pat Cummins could get to 300 Test wickets this week, with his 294 in 67 previous matches coming at an average of just 22.43. He is set to be joined by left-arm quick Mitchell Starc (382 Test wickets at 27.57), with the only real decision for Australia being either to recall the experienced Josh Hazlewood, whose career has been blighted by niggling injuries, or opt for Scott Boland. Australia faced the same dilemma two years ago when Boland was chosen ahead of Hazlewood, who had been recovering from side issues, for the ultimately successful WTC final against India. Advertisement Whatever Australia decide, Proteas openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton are likely to have their work cut out as they look to build a solid foundation to the innings. Nevertheless, South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said: "I think there's a quiet confidence among the batting group... While there might not be superstar names among them, I think as a collective we're pretty confident." Australia, meanwhile, have struggled to fill the gap left at the top of their order by David Warner's retirement 17 months ago. Four batsmen have been tried as an opening partner for Usman Khawaja in that time, with Marnus Labuschagne set to become the fifth if, as expected, he plays his first Test at the top of the order this week. Advertisement Kagiso Rabada, back from a one-month ban for recreational drug use, will lead South Africa's attack as he looks to extend an outstanding Test record of 327 wickets at 22 apiece, with the impressive Marco Jansen in support. Spin to win? Spin, however, could yet prove valuable with a drier pitch than usual offering the prospect of turn. Australia's Nathan Lyon has proved himself an outstanding off-spinner, with 553 Test wickets at an average of just over 30. South Africa left-armer Keshav Maharaj, who arrives at Lord's just two shy of 200 Test wickets, should not be underestimated either. Advertisement Both Cummins and Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma will want their spinners to maintain control, so they don't have to overbowl the quicks, as well as taking wickets. "I think spin will play a big part, particularly as the game wears on," said Australia star batsman Steve Smith, adding: "It does look like quite a dry surface and I think the footmarks will definitely come into play as the game wears on." Wicketkeepers set the tone Lord's can prove an awkward ground for overseas wicketkeepers given how often the ball swings markedly after pitching. But if they try to compensate by standing further back than usual, they run the risk of edges not carrying to the slip-cordon. Advertisement Those technicalities were the least of Australia keeper Alex Carey's concerns two years ago when his controversial stumping of England's Jonny Bairstow -- who thought the ball was dead -- led to an extraordinary row in the Pavilion between Aussie players and Marylebone Cricket Club members. Carey, who scored his maiden Test hundred against South Africa in December 2022, has proved himself a consistent performer with bat and gloves. The same is true of South Africa's Kyle Verreynne, who already has four hundreds to his credit in 24 Tests, as well as 77 dismissals. jdg/kca/bsp
News.com.au
18 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
WTC Final Australia vs South Africa Predictions – Pressure on Marnus & Scary Rabada!
WTC Final Australia vs South Africa Predictions - Pressure on Marnus & Scary Rabada! | Cricket Today Show, Tuesday June 10 - Episode 143 Cricket Today talk on all of the World Test Championship Final's biggest points as Australia vs South Africa with a debate on whether Marnus or Konstas should open and which South African bowler can get the most wickets! The panel full of banter talks up Josh Hazlewood and Aiden Markram for their sides, who can dominate in English conditions to take out the trophy and go through big calls for the Test ahead. Cricket Today panelists Liam 'Stats Guy' McAllion, Marcus Bazzano and Leo Mullaly talk all things Test cricket for the WTC Final! Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 02:05 - Predicted XI's 11:16 - WTC Final Predictions 17:17 - Outro ðŸ'¨ðŸ'» Cricket Today Podcast Expert Panel: Liam McAllion (Stats Guy) Marcus Bazzano Leo Mullaly ðŸ'' Subscribe to stay updated with the latest cricket news and exclusive content. Don't forget to like, share, and comment with your thoughts! Follow Cricket Today Pod's Social Media Channels. Spotify: TikTok: Facebook: X: IG: Our other Channels: AFL Today:
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
'Flawed' Test Championship reveals world cricket's underlying problems
Reigning champions Australia face South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's starting on Wednesday amid a chorus of criticism over the competition's format. Wisden, cricket's 'bible', was scathing in its assessment, with editor Lawrence Booth writing in this year's edition that the WTC is a "shambles masquerading as a showpiece". Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Atherton said "everyone knows the WTC in its present guise is flawed". One fundamental problem is that political tensions mean India and Pakistan, two of cricket's leading nations, have not played a Test against each other since 2007. The nine-nation WTC is further skewed because the teams are not being required to face each other or to play the same number of matches, unlike most sports leagues. Countries are free to decide how many Tests they would like to play in the two-year qualifying cycle -- something Booth wants doubled to four years, with the top nine in the rankings all playing each other, home and away, over series that last at least three Tests. Positions are calculated on the percentage of available points won by teams. South Africa have played just 12 Tests in the current cycle -- all of them two-match series -- compared to England's 22 -- and have not played either England or Australia. South Africa also sent a third-string side to New Zealand in early 2024, and lost. They kept their best players at home to appear in a domestic T20 competition. That was a financial sign of the times, as is Cricket South Africa not scheduling any home Tests for 2025/26. South Africa reeled off six straight wins to book their place in this year's final, only for former England captain Michael Vaughan to say they had got there "on the back of beating pretty much nobody". But Proteas coach Shukri Conrad objected that South Africa had beaten teams who had beaten the 'Big Three' of India, Australia and England. "One of the nobodies we beat won a Test match in Australia -- West Indies beat Australia in a Test match. They are not nobody," insisted Conrad. "New Zealand beat India: three-zip in India. New Zealand is not a nobody. "Sri Lanka won Test matches (against England and New Zealand).I don't buy this thing about us beating nobody." Victory in the final would be a boost to South Africa following years of hurt in ICC white-ball tournaments, with Conrad saying after qualification was secured. "I'm never going to apologise for getting into the final. "It's the biggest thing in this team's existence. It's the biggest thing for South African cricket at the moment." One of those involved in devising the points system, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP: "It's difficult to come up with a solution where everyone is happy given the barriers to an 'orthodox' table that exist, such as the India-Pakistan situation. "Commercial considerations will also mean the 'Big Three' will want to play each other in five-Test series." He added this was just as much a choice as England incurring the over-rate penalties that hampered their chances -- they've yet to reach a WTC final despite the first three editions all taking place on home soil -- with skipper Ben Stokes almost disdainful in his assessment of an "utterly confusing" format. Yet, New Zealand's win in the inaugural 2021 World Test Championship final was welcomed as a long overdue global triumph for a popular side. Australia's failure to qualify for that match was labelled a "big missed opportunity" by skipper Pat Cummins, who made amends with victory at in an Oval final two years ago. That India were beaten finalists in both the 2021 and 2023 WTC finals indicated there was still a place for the five-day game in world cricket's economic powerhouse, for all T20 events such as the Indian Premier League are the financial driving force. Indeed former India captain and batting star Virat Kohli, speaking after securing his long-awaited first IPL title following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's triumph in last Tuesday's final, said: "If you want to earn respect in world cricket all over, take up Test cricket and give your heart and soul to it." But the awkward question for cricket chiefs is whether the WTC is helping or hindering that aim.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Flawed' Test Championship reveals world cricket's underlying problems
Reigning champions Australia face South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's starting Wednesday amid a chorus of criticism over the competition's format. Wisden, cricket's 'bible', was scathing in its assessment, with editor Lawrence Booth writing in this year's edition that the WTC is a "shambles masquerading as a showpiece". Advertisement Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Atherton said "everyone knows the WTC in its present guise is flawed". One fundamental problem is that political tensions mean India and Pakistan, two of cricket's leading nations, have not played a Test against each other since 2007. The nine-nation WTC is further skewed because the teams are not being required to face each other or to play the same number of matches, unlike most sports leagues. Countries are free to decide how many Tests they would like to play in the two-year qualifying cycle -- something Booth wants doubled to four years, with the top nine in the rankings all playing each other, home and away, over series that last at least three Tests. Advertisement Positions are calculated on the percentage of available points won by teams. South Africa have played just 12 Tests in the current cycle -- all of them two-match series -- compared to England's 22 -- and have not played either England or Australia. South Africa also sent a third-string side to New Zealand in early 2024, and lost. It kept its best players at home to appear in its domestic T20 competition. That was a financial sign of the times, as is Cricket South Africa not scheduling any home Tests for 2025/26. - 'South Africa didn't beat nobodies' - South Africa reeled off six straight wins to book their place in this year's final, only for former England captain Michael Vaughan to say they had got there "on the back of beating pretty much nobody". Advertisement But Proteas coach Shukri Conrad objected that South Africa had beaten teams who had beaten the 'Big Three' of India, Australia and England. "One of the nobodies we beat won a Test match in Australia -- West Indies beat Australia in a Test match. They are not nobody," insisted Conrad. "New Zealand beat India: three-zip in India. New Zealand is not a nobody. "Sri Lanka won Test matches (against England and New Zealand).I don't buy this thing about us beating nobody." Victory in the final would be a boost to South Africa following years of hurt in ICC white-ball tournaments, with Conrad saying after qualification was secured. "I'm never going to apologise for getting into the final. Advertisement "It's the biggest thing in this team's existence. It's the biggest thing for South African cricket at the moment." One of those involved in devising the points system, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP: "It's difficult to come up with a solution where everyone is happy given the barriers to an 'orthodox' table that exist, such as the India-Pakistan situation. "Commercial considerations will also mean the 'Big Three' will want to play each other in five-Test series." He added this was just as much a choice as England incurring the over-rate penalties that hampered their chances -- they've yet to reach a WTC final despite the first three editions all taking place on home soil -- with skipper Ben Stokes almost disdainful in his assessment of an "utterly confusing" format. Advertisement Yet, New Zealand's win in the inaugural 2021 World Test Championship final was welcomed as a long overdue global triumph for a popular side. Australia's failure to qualify for that match was labelled a "big missed opportunity" by skipper Pat Cummins, who made amends with victory at in an Oval final two years ago. Tthat India were beaten finalists in both the 2021 and 2023 WTC finals indicated there was still a place for the five-day game in world cricket's economic powerhouse, for all T20 events such as the Indian Premier League are the financial driving force. Indeed former India captain and batting star Virat Kohli, speaking after securing his long-awaited first IPL title following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's triumph in last Tuesday's final, said: "If you want to earn respect in world cricket all over, take up Test cricket and give your heart and soul to it." But the awkward question for cricket chiefs is whether the WTC is helping or hindering that aim. jdg/pb
