For the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 Final against South Africa, which will begin on June 11 at the storied Lord’s in London, Australia has selected a 15-man squad. In an attempt to defend the WTC championship they won in 2023 against India, the announcement features the return of all-rounder Cameron Green, pace ace Josh Hazlewood, and captain Pat Cummins.
Despite being injured during Australia’s most recent Test series in Sri Lanka, Cummins, Hazlewood, and Green are all fully healthy. With Cummins leading a potent speed attack that includes Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Hazlewood, the team combines experience and firepower.
Spin duties will be handled by left-armer Matt Kuhnemann and veteran Nathan Lyon. The batting core of Steve Smith, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja is still in place. Beau Webster, a potent all-rounder, and young starter Sam Konstas have both been recruited to the team. Selection Chair George Bailey commented about the honour of making it to the final for the second consecutive year and highlighted the trio’s comeback.
We are grateful and excited to have Josh (Hazlewood), Cam (Green), and Pat (Cummins) rejoin the team. A CA release cited Bailey as saying, “It means a lot to the group to make it to the final, and they are really looking forward to the challenge South Africa will present at Lord’s.”
Interestingly, Green’s selection is a huge plus, particularly considering how well he recovered from back surgery to play county cricket. His batting is anticipated to make a significant impact, even though he is not anticipated to bowl much just yet. After a successful Test debut and a county tenure with Warwickshire, Webster has maintained his status as the team’s main seam-bowling all-rounder.
It’s interesting to note that choosing the starting lineup is difficult for selectors. One of Boland, Hazlewood, or Starc might have to pass since Cummins is a given. Hazlewood has an edge due to his recent IPL performance (18 wickets in 10 games), but his shoulder ailment will be attentively watched. After a remarkable two-year cycle in which they won four of six series, including a historic triumph over India, Australia advanced to the final.
“After a similarly successful summer in which they defeated India for the first time in ten years, the squad concluded the WTC cycle with a remarkable series victory in Sri Lanka. “We now have the tremendously thrilling opportunity to defend the World Test Championship after those series capped a consistent performance over the two-year cycle,” Bailey continued.
Australia would be the first team to win multiple WTC Finals in addition to defending if they prevailed at Lord’s. After that, on June 26, the same squad will embark on a three-Test series in the Caribbean. Brendan Doggett, who just broke the record in the Sheffield Shield final, has been selected as the travelling reserve. With Doggett taking 11 wickets, South Australia won their first red-ball championship in almost thirty years.
Australia squad for World Test Championship 2023-25 Final vs South Africa
Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett
