Australia cricket team have unveiled their playing XI for the 1st Test against West Indies. The Test, which begins on June 25, will mark the start of the new World Test Championship cycle for runners-up Australia and West Indies. Sam Konstas returns as the side’s opener after Marnus Labuschagne was dropped from the squad following the WTC final.
Australia playing XI for 1st Test vs West Indies
Usman Khawaja
Sam Konstas
Cameron Green
Josh Inglis
Travis Head
Beau Webster
Alex Carey (WK)
Pat Cummins (C)
Mitchell Starc
Nathan Lyon
Josh Hazlewood
Konstas, who had a memorable debut series against India earlier in 2024, returns to the side to replace Labuschagne as the opener. The youngster will be hoping for better returns, having worked on his mental and technical aspects of the game.
Meanwhile, Steve Smith – who sustained a compund dislocation on his finger in the WTC final – will miss the game. He will be replaced by Josh Inglis at number 4 in the playing XI.
Green is Australia’s new number 3
Australia captain Pat Cummins confirmed that Cameron Green will get an extended run at number 3. The all-rounder, who is currently playing as a pure batter, did not have a good outing in the WTC final against South Africa. Cummins hinted at a long-term role for Green at the position, saying that he did not like to move around a lot of parts of the playing XI.
“I always like to not have too many moving parts. We see that (Green at No. 3) as a long-term option. I think going into last week he’s hitting the ball really well, he’s moving really well,” Cummins said.
Lyon lone spinner
Australia have decided to go with just one spinner for the 1st Test against WI in the form of Nathan Lyon. They have retained the three-prong pace attack of Cummins-Starc-Hazlewood while Beau Webster serves as the fourth seamer.
