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Int'l Cricket Council
3 days ago
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Five crucial battles at the World Test Championship Final
Scene set for epic World Test Championship Final South Africa and Australia are ready to battle it out in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's from June 11 2025 The Proteas finished top of the WTC table, winning seven of their last eight matches to seal their berth in the final for the first time. Australia meanwhile booked their second consecutive final spot, securing their place with a home series win against India in their recent home summer. The two teams possess several match-winners in their squads, who can turn the game on its head. We examine five key match-ups that could decide the clash: A new-ball contest between South Africa's leading wicket-taker and Australia's highest run-scorer in this World Test Championship cycle could set the tone for the Final. Kagiso Rabada going full throttle against Usman Khawaja offers an intriguing battle. Khawaja has set the tone going for Australia with 1422 runs from his 19 innings this WTC cycle, while Rabada has claimed 47 wickets from 20 innings. Holding the advantage in prior contests is South Africa's premium speedster, who's got the better of Khawaja five times in 10 matches the duo have collided against each other. Rabada will also take cue from the left-hander's recent troubles against quality pace bowling featuring India's Jasprit Bumrah during the five Tests on Australian soil. Khawaja was dismissed by Bumrah six times during the course of the series. Khawaja on the other hand, will look back at the success he enjoyed on his last visit to England, scoring 496 runs during the Ashes in 2023. Usman Khawaja accepts ICC Men's Test Player of the Year award Australia opener Usman Khawaja was not expecting to be named the ICC Men's Test Player of the Year in 2023. Much of the fast bowling responsibility at the other end for South Africa will be courtesy of left-arm seamer Marco Jansen. Having made an early impression in the previous WTC cycle, the 25-year-old came into his own in the second cycle, helping South Africa to the final, claiming 29 wickets in six Tests. A prominent feature of the searing quick has been his use of the angular advantage he holds over right-handed batters. Of his 78 Test wickets, 57 have been right-handers, a staggering 73.07 percent. At the nets with South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen and Shaun Pollock | CWC23 Behind the scenes with Shaun Pollock at South Africa training ahead of the heavyweight clash with England at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 It sets up for an exciting match-up against Australia stalwart, Steve Smith, who comes into the final on the back of a memorable tour of Sri Lanka. Leading Australia to a 2-0 clean sweep, Smith compiled two hundreds in the series, and reached 10,000 Test runs, to close his side's WTC campaign on a high note. The veteran batter was also a key performer in Australia's WTC 2023 Final triumph against India at The Oval, where he also posted a scintillating ton. An exciting young quick facing a seasoned batting icon, this has all the makings of an 'unstoppable force meets an immovable object' clash. Century! Another milestone for Steve Smith | WTC23 Final Steve Smith notches up his 31st Test century early on Day 2 against India in the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023. South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma led by example in the back half of the Proteas' march to the WTC Final. Missing out on five of the first six Tests South Africa played, Bavuma came back, amassing 609 runs from 11 innings, at an incredible 60.90. His run-scoring eased the pressure of multiple newcomers in South Africa's red-ball batting lineup. The experienced campaigner will seek to blunt a ruthless Australian bowling attack led by the irrepressible Pat Cummins. Returning from a recent injury, the Australian skipper possesses a grave threat to Bavuma and the Proteas batting line-up. Cummins' diverse arsenal offers him a range of options to utilise against the best of foes, and his impressive haul of 73 wickets in this WTC cycle - second only to Jasprit Bumrah - show for it. How a newly rekindled batter in Bavuma maneuvers against a dexterous Cummins will be a crucial plot point to the final. Fiery fast bowling from Pat Cummins | WTC23 Final Shardul Thakur had to face the brunt of Pat Cummins' fiery fast bowling. Another exciting new-ball match-up that is richly-anticipated comes in the form of South Africa's opener and Australia's left-arm gun. The Proteas left-handed sensation has taken little time to establish himself as one of the exciting prospects across formats. To go with his incredible range of shots, Rickelton hasn't lacked the composure to bat for longer periods, with 451 runs from six Tests in this WTC cycle. Ryan Rickelton's special ton on ICC event debut | POTM Highlights | Champions Trophy 2025 A superb century from Ryan Rickelton at the ICC Champions Trophy event in 2025 This included a career-best score of 259 against Pakistan, an innings that elevated his stock in the post-Dean Elgar era. In a fierce quick such as Starc, Rickelton may find his toughest challenge yet when it comes to Test cricket. The left-arm veteran, reputed for delivering on the big stage, will aim to dictate. Meanwhile, during his short time as an international cricketer, Rickelton hasn't held back from a full length delivery against the new-ball. Bolstering South Africa's batting in the middle order are Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham, two batters who can accelerate the run-scoring with their attacking strokeplay. While Stubbs has proven his attacking prowess across formats, Bedingham - who has only featured in the longest format for South Africa - has also not second-guessed before taking down the opposition attack once the ball gets old. With this approach the 31-year-old has finished as South Africa's leading run-scorer in this WTC cycle (645). The duo are likely to have Australia's premier operator Nathan Lyon in their mind in their quest to accumulate quick runs. Despite the conditions at Lord's more suited to the seamers, finger-spinner Lyon will offer a handy outlet to Australia, also leveraging the slope of the ground. Lyon also has an impressive haul from his last outing in the Ultimate Test, when he returned with the best figures in the second innings as Australia clinched the World Test Championship mace. His battle with the Proteas middle-order duo offers an enticing storyline that may hold the key to how many runs South Africa end up scoring. "For me, that's the World Cup": Nathan Lyon on WTC glory A key figure in Australia's mace-winning 2023 World Test Championship campaign, Nathan Lyon explains the competition's significance to him.
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
A former Australian star has thrown his support behind Sam Konstas for World Test Championship final
Former Australian star Damien Fleming wants to see selectors boldly back Sam Konstas in next month's World Test Championship final at Lords. Konstas is in a battle with No.3 Marnus Labuschagne and the returning Cam Green to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order in the one off Test with South Africa. Fleming believes Green will resume his post at No.4 and slide Steve Smith up to No.3 – leaving the vacant spot between Labuschagne and Konstas. The former quick, who made 108 international appearances, says Konstas offers something different to Labuschagne against the new ball. 'My gut feeling is that they'll stick with Marnus but I would actually go with Konstas,' Fleming, who will cover the final for SEN, said. London here we come. Can’t wait to grab the Microphone for @1116sen @SEN_Cricket For the World Test Final @HomeOfCricket between Australia and South Africa staring June 11th ðŸ�� 🎙ï¸� — Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) May 13, 2025 'I want Konstas to open in the Ashes, so to get a Test final, which is pretty extreme pressure against (Kagiso) Rabada, (Lungi) Ngidi, (Marco) Jansen and co. 'But in his four innings so far he's had (Jasprit) Bumrah bowling so it's not as if he hasn't faced the best at Test level already. 'What I like about Konstas is his scoring rate, we saw early in the Indian series when Nathan McSweeney was opening with Usman and Marnus at No.3, at times they battled really hard but if they lost one or two the scoreboard was nowhere.' Konstas delivered a spectacular debut on Boxing Day in front of a packed MCG, slamming India to all parts in a quick-fire 60. Fleming says Konstas' debut innings and 'even his little cameos' allow the experienced Khawaja to patiently get going. 'We saw in Melbourne in that stunning first innings when Konstas gets out we're virtually 100 and the game is set up,' Fleming said. 'Even his little cameos in Sydney … those quick 20s just accelerated the game and Usman can play within himself. 'I would like for them to go with Konstas, he's the future, we want to get games into him and his scoring rate sets up Test matches. 'Dave Warner was doing that for us for many years, (Virender) Sehwag did it for India, (Chris) Gayle for the West Indies – I mean everyone is doing it in 'Bazball'. 'The more he plays, hopefully he finds that tempo between T20 innovation and just orthodox cricket which he looks like he is orthodox but he does have genuine power, I think he will end up a big, strong boy. 'Yes, it's a World Test Championship final but I think I would be going with Konstas and Usman.' Fleming disagrees with the idea put forward by Chairman of Selectors George Bailey that opening is a role 'more people could do than we give credit to'. He says setting that standard runs the risk of players at Sheffield Shield level avoiding the new ball for a better shot at national selection. 'Under George Bailey, (Andrew) McDonald and (Pat) Cummins, they have been horses for courses to some degree,' he said. 'But as someone sort of said … with the selections of McSweeney – who I think will make it as a Test middle-order player and I love what he brings in the field as well. 'But why be a specialist opener in Shield cricket if they're going to pick guys who bat No.4 to open in Test match cricket? Why would you take that risk? 'The ball might be a bit more blunted and we know, it might have been Moises Henriques who said it … batting has got 30 per cent hard because of the pitches in Shield cricket. 'Opening up is really tough, so I think we need to decrease expectations, years ago you had to average 50 to play Test cricket but maybe we'll take 35 and build partnerships. 'In an ideal world I would like to see us reward Sheffield Shield openers into the Test team.'
Herald Sun
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Queensland cricket contract list: Usman Khawaja signs on
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News. Test batsman Usman Khawaja has agreed to play on with the Queensland Bulls despite his stunning late season clash with Joe Dawes. Khawaja has been named on the Queensland Bulls player list as one of three players contracted by Cricket Australia who will play for the Bulls next summer. The veteran batsman had a major falling out with Bulls director of cricket Dawes who publicly criticised Khawaja for not being available for the final Sheffield Shield regular round match against South Australia. Khawaja was upset by the criticism and it is believed the duo have not spoken since. But following talks with Queensland Cricket boss Terry Svenson, Khawaja has agreed to stay on for what could be the final season of his first class career. In a season which features five Ashes Tests, Khawaja may only play two or three Shield games. Young pace bowlers Tom Whitney and Tom Straker, who showed promise in their debut first class summers, have been promoted to full contracts. Straker, 19, claimed 12 wickets in five Shield games while Whitney bagged 11 in three. Queensland's pace depth has been bolstered with former Australian under-19 quick Tom Balkin gaining a contract for the first time. Three players – fast man Lian Guthrie who has lined with Northamptonshire, Bryce Street and Connor Sully, have dropped out of the squad. Originally published as Usman Khawaja agrees to stay with Queensland Bulls after feud with Joe Dawes
Sky News AU
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
Cricket: Usman Khawaja to remain with Queensland
Test opener Usman Khawaja will again play for the Queensland Bulls next season despite his feud with the state's head of elite cricket Joe Dawes. Khawaja was furious with Dawes for suggesting that the veteran batsman had 'no hamstring issues', the reason given for him not playing for the Bulls in their final match of the regular Sheffield Shield season in March against South Australia. 'Joe Dawes came out the other day and said a few inflammatory things, which was really disappointing to me as a player,' Khawaja said in March. 'Joe said the medical staff had no idea (about my hamstring injury). That is 100 per cent wrong.' Despite his anger, Khawaja, 38, will again play for the Bulls as one of three Cricket Australia contracted players – the other two being state captain Marnus Labuschagne and paceman Xavier Bartlett – named in Queensland's 2025-26 squad. The squad also includes emerging pace bowlers Tom Whitney and Tom Straker, who have secured full contracts after being elevated from the rookie list. Usman Khawaja will again play for the Queensland Bulls next season. Picture:Dropping out of the squad are left-arm paceman Liam Guthrie, who has linked with English County side Northamptonshire, left-handed batsman Bryce Street and paceman Connor Sully. 'We wish Liam all the best at Northants under (former Bulls coach) Darren Lehmann and will stay close to Bryce and Connor as they tackle new challenges,'' Dawes said. 'The Bulls have plenty of incentives to build on their improvement last season, and we will back the squad to convert that potential into trophies in the coming seasons. 'We're excited about what lies ahead and look forward to improving as individuals and as a squad in the first-class and one-day competitions.' Queensland Bulls 2025-26 squad: Cricket Australia contracted: Xavier Bartlett (Gold Coast), Usman Khawaja (Valley), Marnus Labuschagne (Redlands). Queensland contracted: Max Bryant (Valley), Hugo Burdon (Gold Coast), Jack Clayton (University of Qld), Lachlan Hearne (Toombul), Angus Lovell (University of Qld), Ben McDermott (Gold Coast), Michael Neser (Gold Coast), Jimmy Peirson (Redlands), Matthew Renshaw (Toombul), Gurinder Sandhu (South Brisbane), Jack Sinfield (Redlands), Mark Steketee (Valley), Tom Straker (Valley), Mitch Swepson (Sandgate-Redcliffe), Callum Vidler (Valley), Hugh Weibgen (Valley), Tom Whitney (Wests), Jack Wildermuth (Valley). Queensland rookie contracted: Lachy Aitken (Gold Coast), Tom Balkin (Toombul), Jem Ryan (Ipswich). . Originally published as Usman Khawaja to play another season with Queensland Bulls despite clash with Joe Dawes
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Usman Khawaja to play another season with Queensland Bulls despite clash with Joe Dawes
Test opener Usman Khawaja will again play for the Queensland Bulls next season despite his feud with the state's head of elite cricket Joe Dawes. Khawaja was furious with Dawes for suggesting that the veteran batsman had 'no hamstring issues', the reason given for him not playing for the Bulls in their final match of the regular Sheffield Shield season in March against South Australia. 'Joe Dawes came out the other day and said a few inflammatory things, which was really disappointing to me as a player,' Khawaja said in March. 'Joe said the medical staff had no idea (about my hamstring injury). That is 100 per cent wrong.' Despite his anger, Khawaja, 38, will again play for the Bulls as one of three Cricket Australia contracted players – the other two being state captain Marnus Labuschagne and paceman Xavier Bartlett – named in Queensland's 2025-26 squad. The squad also includes emerging pace bowlers Tom Whitney and Tom Straker, who have secured full contracts after being elevated from the rookie list. Dropping out of the squad are left-arm paceman Liam Guthrie, who has linked with English County side Northamptonshire, left-handed batsman Bryce Street and paceman Connor Sully. 'We wish Liam all the best at Northants under (former Bulls coach) Darren Lehmann and will stay close to Bryce and Connor as they tackle new challenges,'' Dawes said. 'The Bulls have plenty of incentives to build on their improvement last season, and we will back the squad to convert that potential into trophies in the coming seasons. 'We're excited about what lies ahead and look forward to improving as individuals and as a squad in the first-class and one-day competitions.' Queensland Bulls 2025-26 squad: Cricket Australia contracted: Xavier Bartlett (Gold Coast), Usman Khawaja (Valley), Marnus Labuschagne (Redlands). Queensland contracted: Max Bryant (Valley), Hugo Burdon (Gold Coast), Jack Clayton (University of Qld), Lachlan Hearne (Toombul), Angus Lovell (University of Qld), Ben McDermott (Gold Coast), Michael Neser (Gold Coast), Jimmy Peirson (Redlands), Matthew Renshaw (Toombul), Gurinder Sandhu (South Brisbane), Jack Sinfield (Redlands), Mark Steketee (Valley), Tom Straker (Valley), Mitch Swepson (Sandgate-Redcliffe), Callum Vidler (Valley), Hugh Weibgen (Valley), Tom Whitney (Wests), Jack Wildermuth (Valley). Queensland rookie contracted: Lachy Aitken (Gold Coast), Tom Balkin (Toombul), Jem Ryan (Ipswich). .
