Latest news with #Labuschagne
West Australian
3 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
World Test Championship Final: South Africa turn to bitter Australian enemy Stuart Broad ahead of match
Bitter Ashes enemy Stuart Broad hopes to crash one last Australian party as South Africa leans on the retired English seamer to give them an edge in next week's World Test Championship Final. The Proteas enter the Lord's decider rank underdogs against the all-conquering Australians but have turned to a man who knows a thing or two about taking down Aussie batsmen. Broad retired at the conclusion of the 2023 Ashes series in England, using his last ball in Test cricket to dismiss Alex Carey and ensure Australia missed out on a series victory on enemy soil for the second tour running despite having held a 2-0 lead. Broad finished his decorated red-ball career with 167 matches and 604 wickets at 27.68, including a staggering 153 scalps against Australia. If South Africa are to prevail in the WTC Final and earn the Test mace for the first time since losing it to Australia in 2015, it is likely to be off the back of star bowler Kagiso Rabada, who has a remarkable record of dismissing Australian batters and will relish the seaming English conditions at the home of cricket. Broad will be tasked with mentoring and coaching the Proteas' talent-laden fast-bowling attack but will not be in their camp during the match due to commentary duties. Meanwhile, Australia faces a dilemma at the top of the batting order. West Australian all-rounder Cam Green looks all but certain to return to the line-up in the middle-order after three centuries and an unbeaten half century in five County cricket matches, which could push Marnus Labuschagne up to the opening position. However, Labuschagne's Test form has been dire across the last two years, and a County cricket stint with Glamorgan did little to quell fears his dry spell would continue. Travis Head opened in Sri Lanka due to sub-continent conditions but will slide back to his preferred No.5 in England. Despite the lean run, Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting says Labuschagne is the most likely choice to open in the Final. 'I actually think that that will go with Labuschagne,' Ponting said on the ICC Review podcast. 'Looking back to the last World Test Championship Final, there was some talk about David Warner and whether he should hold his spot going into that. 'And there was a bit of talk around the team about wanting to get through that period or that phase if you like, with the same group of players and give them the chance to, to be able to play off in that one-off Final. 'Labuschagne has been through this cycle with the team, albeit batting at No.3, and I think they will want to get through the cycle with the same players, so I think Labuschagne will get the nod. 'Whether I agree with it or not, it's a different thing... all will be revealed in the next couple of weeks. 'It's a really tough selection every time because every time Boland plays, he just does so well. But unfortunately, if Hazlewood is fit, I think Hazlewood comes straight back into the team.'
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Former Ashes rival Broad out to haunt Aussies in WTC Final
Bitter Ashes enemy Stuart Broad hopes to crash one last Australian party as South Africa leans on the retired English seamer to give them an edge in next week's World Test Championship Final. The Proteas enter the Lord's decider rank underdogs against the all-conquering Australians but have turned to a man who knows a thing or two about taking down Aussie batsmen. Broad retired at the conclusion of the 2023 Ashes series in England, using his last ball in Test cricket to dismiss Alex Carey and ensure Australia missed out on a series victory on enemy soil for the second tour running despite having held a 2-0 lead. Broad finished his decorated red-ball career with 167 matches and 604 wickets at 27.68, including a staggering 153 scalps against Australia. If South Africa are to prevail in the WTC Final and earn the Test mace for the first time since losing it to Australia in 2015, it is likely to be off the back of star bowler Kagiso Rabada, who has a remarkable record of dismissing Australian batters and will relish the seaming English conditions at the home of cricket. Broad will be tasked with mentoring and coaching the Proteas' talent-laden fast-bowling attack but will not be in their camp during the match due to commentary duties. Meanwhile, Australia faces a dilemma at the top of the batting order. West Australian all-rounder Cam Green looks all but certain to return to the line-up in the middle-order after three centuries and an unbeaten half century in five County cricket matches, which could push Marnus Labuschagne up to the opening position. Stuart Broad of England interacts with team mate Moeen Ali as they make their way off following the end of the match. Credit: Gareth Copley / Getty Images However, Labuschagne's Test form has been dire across the last two years, and a County cricket stint with Glamorgan did little to quell fears his dry spell would continue. Travis Head opened in Sri Lanka due to sub-continent conditions but will slide back to his preferred No.5 in England. Despite the lean run, Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting says Labuschagne is the most likely choice to open in the Final. 'I actually think that that will go with Labuschagne,' Ponting said on the ICC Review podcast. 'Looking back to the last World Test Championship Final, there was some talk about David Warner and whether he should hold his spot going into that. 'And there was a bit of talk around the team about wanting to get through that period or that phase if you like, with the same group of players and give them the chance to, to be able to play off in that one-off Final. 'Labuschagne has been through this cycle with the team, albeit batting at No.3, and I think they will want to get through the cycle with the same players, so I think Labuschagne will get the nod. 'Whether I agree with it or not, it's a different thing... all will be revealed in the next couple of weeks. 'It's a really tough selection every time because every time Boland plays, he just does so well. But unfortunately, if Hazlewood is fit, I think Hazlewood comes straight back into the team.'
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Ponting predicts Australia's WTC final playing XI; Labuschagne at top, no place for Konstas
New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI): Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting picked his Baggy Greens playing XI for their upcoming World Test Championship final fixture against South Africa at the iconic Lord's, scheduled to kick off on June 11. Australia, which announced a star-studded 15-player squad earlier this month, is coming into the WTC final hot on the heels of an imposing 3-1 triumph over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Even though Australia's squad appears to be settled, there are still underlying questions that they need to address when selecting their playing XI. With runs dried up from Marnus Labuschagne's bat and Cameron Green's return to prolific form, Ponting weighed in on Australia's potential lineup and believes Labuschagne will be pushed up in the batting order alongside Usman Khawaja, leaving no room for young Sam Konstas. Green will follow the top-order and then Steve Smith at number four, while Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey will comprise the middle order. 'I have just got a bit of a feeling that Marnus Labuschagne might be pushed up the order to open the batting with Khawaja. I think Green will bat at three, and Steve Smith will be at four. Then it's Travis Head five, Beau Webster six, Carey at seven, Cummins eight, Starc nine and Lyon 10,' Ponting said in the ICC Review. While skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc straightaway slot into Ponting's XI, he believes Australia will be in a conundrum regarding the selection of Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland. For Ponting, the last spot will come down to Hazlewood's fitness. If the 34-year-old Hazlewood is fit, he will return to the team. 'And the one that everyone talks about the last couple of years is the whole Hazlewood (versus) Boland one. It's a really tough selection every time because every time Boland plays, he just does so well. But unfortunately, if Hazlewood is fit, I think Hazlewood comes straight back into the team,' he added. Ponting elaborated that the biggest dilemma for the selectors will be Labuschagne. The 30-year-old has lost his mojo and is in a hunt for his rich vein of form. Since the end of 2022, Labuschagne boasts just a solitary century and hasn't made much of an impression in two matches for County Championship side Glamorgan. Despite the speculations, the ICC Hall of Famer believes Australia will stick with Labuschange, citing the route the selectors took with David Warner in the last WTC final and said, 'I actually think that that will go with Labuschagne. Looking back to the last World Test Championship Final there was some talk about David Warner and whether he should hold his spot going into that.' 'And there was a bit of talk around the team about wanting to get through that period or that phase or, if you like, with the same group of players and give them the chance to, to be able to play off in that one-off final. Labuschagne has been through this cycle with the team, albeit batting at No.3, and I think they will want to get through the cycle with the same players, so I think Labuschagne will get the nod. Whether I agree with it or not, it's a different will be revealed in the next couple of weeks,' he added. Ricky Ponting's predicted Australia XI for the World Test Championship Final: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. (ANI)
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Ricky Ponting Names Surprise Opener For Australia In WTC Final: "Might Be Pushed To..."
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that Marnus Labuschagne will "might be pushed" to open with regular opener Usman Khawaja for the next month's World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord's. While most of Australia's playing XI appears settled, a few key questions remain. There's uncertainty over who will open alongside Usman Khawaja, concerns over Labuschagne's recent lack of runs, decisions to be made about Cameron Green's role in the lineup, and a close call between Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland for a spot in the pace attack. Earlier this month, Australia announced a strong 15-member squad for the upcoming summit clash, which begins on June 11. Head coach Andrew McDonald has stated he will finalise the playing XI only after the team assembles in London ahead of the match. "I have just got a bit of a feeling that Marnus Labuschagne might be pushed up the order to open the batting with Khawaja. I think Green will bat at three and Steve Smith will be at four. Then it's Travis Head five, Beau Webster six, Carey at seven, Cummins eight, Starc nine and Lyon 10," Ponting said on The ICC Review. "And the one that everyone talks about the last couple of years is the whole Hazlewood (versus) Boland one. It's a really tough selection every time because every time Boland plays, he just does so well. But unfortunately, if Hazlewood is fit, I think Hazlewood comes straight back into the team," he said. Ponting believes the biggest selection dilemma facing Australia is what to do with Labuschagne — specifically, whether he can step up and open the batting in Test cricket for the first time. Labuschagne has managed just one Test century since the end of 2022 and recently struggled in two County Championship games for Glamorgan. Meanwhile, promising teenager Sam Konstas is knocking on the doors, should the selectors choose to hand him a high-stakes debut in the one-off Test. Despite Labuschagne's dip in form, Ponting expects Australia to back the experienced batter, pointing out that the selectors may follow a similar approach to the one they took with David Warner ahead of the previous WTC final. "I actually think that they will go with Labuschagne. Looking back to the last World Test Championship Final there was some talk about David Warner and whether he should hold his spot going into that," Ponting said. "And there was a bit of talk around the team about wanting to get through that period or that phase or if you like, with the same group of players and give them the chance to, to be able to play off in that one-off final. "Labuschagne has been through this cycle with the team, albeit batting at No.3 and I think they will want to get through the cycle with the same players so I think Labuschagne will get the nod. Whether I agree with it or not, it's a different will be revealed in the next couple of weeks," he concluded. Listen to the latest songs, only on
United News of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Ponting picks Australia XI for World Test Championship Final
Sydney, May 30 (UNI) ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has revealed the playing XI he thinks Australia will use in the one-off ICC World Test Championship Final against South Africa. Earlier this month, Australia named a strong 15-player squad for the Ultimate Test at Lord's starting June 11 and coach Andrew McDonald has already indicated he will wait until the side convenes in London prior to the contest before he settles on the make-up of the final XI. While the majority of Australia's XI looks well settled, there are still some question marks surrounding who will partner Usman Khawaja at the top of Australia's batting order, the lack of runs for former No.1 ranked batter Marnus Labuschagne, just where star all-rounder Cameron Green slots into the side and which pacer is preferred out of Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland. Ponting discussed all of these issues on the latest episode of The ICC Review, with the former Australian captain going out on a limb and predicting exactly how he thinks the Aussies will line up. "I have just got a bit of a feeling that Marnus Labuschagne might be pushed up the order to open the batting with Khawaja," Ponting declared. "I think Green will bat at three and Steve Smith will be at four," he said. "Then it's Travis Head five, Beau Webster six, Carey at seven, Cummins eight, Starc nine and Lyon 10," Ponting said. "And the one that everyone talks about the last couple of years is the whole Hazlewood (versus) Boland one. It's a really tough selection every time because every time Boland plays, he just does so well. But unfortunately, if Hazlewood is fit, I think Hazlewood comes straight back into the team," he said. Ponting thinks the biggest dilemma selectors will face will be what to do with Labuschagne and whether he is capable of pushing up the order and opening the batting at Test level for the first time. Labuschagne has just one Test century to his name since the end of 2022 and failed to make much of an impression in two matches for County side Glamorgan earlier this month and the Aussies have Sam Konstas waiting in the wings should they want to provide the brash teenager with a baptism of fire in the one-off Test. But Ponting expects Australia to put their faith in Labuschagne, citing the path selectors took with former opener David Warner prior to the last World Test Championship Final may be replicated once again. "I actually think that that will go with Labuschagne," Ponting said. "Looking back to the last World Test Championship Final there was some talk about David Warner and whether he should hold his spot going into that," he said. "And there was a bit of talk around the team about wanting to get through that period or that phase or if you like, with the same group of players and give them the chance to, to be able to play off in that one-off final," Ponting said. "Labuschagne has been through this cycle with the team, albeit batting at No.3 and I think they will want to get through the cycle with the same players so I think Labuschagne will get the nod," he said. "Whether I agree with it or not, it's a different will be revealed in the next couple of weeks," Ponting added. Ricky Ponting's predicted Australia XI for World Test Championship 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. UNI BM
