Australia cricket team will be eyeing their second consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) mace as they take on South Africa in the WTC final. The high-octane clash will get underway from June 11 at Lord’s. Australia will head into the contest with what is perhaps their strongest team, with all key players fit for the marquee clash.
Predicted Australia playing XI for WTC final
| Position | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Usman Khawaja | Opener |
| 2. | Marnus Labuschagne | Opener |
| 3. | Cameron Green | All-rounder |
| 4. | Steve Smith | Batter |
| 5. | Travis Head | Batter |
| 6. | Alex Carey | Wicketkeeper |
| 7. | Beau Webster | All-rounder |
| 8. | Pat Cummins (c) | Fast bowler |
| 9. | Nathan Lyon | Spinner |
| 10. | Mitchell Starc | Fast bowler |
| 11. | Josh Hazlewood | Fast bowler |
Who will open with Khawaja?
Leading up to the WTC final, there has been a lot of debate on who should be Usman Khawaja’s opening partner. Reports suggested that the team might take a punt on Marnus Labuschagne and allow him to open the innings instead of playing down the order.
The youngster had an impressive debut Test series against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But as the series went on, his return diminished and many didn’t secure about his technique. Labuschagne bat at three and moving one spot, shouldn’t bother him for a one-off match.
Webster boost for pace attack
Green is unlikely to bowl in the WTC final, given that he has just recovered from his back injury. In this case, Webster’s inclusion in the playing XI will come as a boost for the pace trio of Starc-Hazlewood-Cummins. Webster had a memorable debut in the series against India and he managed to grab eyeballs with his all-round abilities, especially with the ball.
Hazlewood in, Boland out
Josh Hazlewood will be key for Australia’s success at Lord’s. His record at the venue is phenomenal, having taken 13 wickets in three matches. And the highlight of it is that he has never lost a game that he has been a part of at the iconic Lord’s.
Hazlewood’s inclusion in the playing XI means Scott Boland will have to warm the bench in the contest. Nathan Lyon will be the lone specialist spinner in the line-up.
Australia squad for WTC final 2025
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett
