Australia 11 for WTC Final: Marnus Labuschagne will open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja in the ICC World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s, as Australia confirm their playing XI for the highly anticipated clash starting Wednesday.
Captain Pat Cummins revealed the side on the eve of the match, with fit-again allrounder Cameron Green returning to the XI at No.3 and Josh Hazlewood winning the final pace bowling slot ahead of Scott Boland.
Beau Webster retains his place at No.6 and will provide additional seam-bowling support, while Josh Inglis and young batting prodigy Sam Konstas miss out despite impressive recent form.
Labuschagne’s elevation to the opening role marks a first in Test cricket, though the Queenslander has previous experience opening in both county cricket and domestic first-class games. The decision was shaped by Green’s strong form with the bat since returning from back surgery.
“Cam Green has had a great return, and we thought No.3 suits him well,” Cummins said. “With Marnus moving up one spot, it’s not a huge change, and he’s done well in England before.”
Labuschagne averages 45.33 at Lord’s and famously made history at the ground in 2019 as Test cricket’s first-ever concussion substitute. While primarily a No.3, he opened in his early Shield days and scored a century at the top for Glamorgan last season.
Khawaja backed the reshuffle, saying Labuschagne is well-suited for the challenge.
“He’s done it before. Opening and batting at three is not a massive shift — sometimes you’re in second ball anyway,” Khawaja said. “He’s adaptable and has the game for it.”
Green’s return comes on the back of three first-class hundreds for Gloucestershire. While he remains a specialist batter during his recovery, he’s expected to resume bowling duties during the home summer.
Hazlewood, meanwhile, edges out Boland despite the Victorian’s ten-wicket haul in his last Test. The selectors leaned on Hazlewood’s experience at Lord’s, where he’s taken 13 wickets in three matches, and his superior strike rate in English conditions.
“It was a tough call,” Cummins admitted. “Boland’s been fantastic, but Hazlewood’s record here and the bounce he offers suited the conditions. He’s fresh and ready.”
Australia’s lineup features three changes from their last Test in Sri Lanka, with Cummins and Hazlewood returning from injury. Inglis, Cooper Connolly, and Matt Kuhnemann drop out, though Kuhnemann may feature again on the upcoming West Indies tour, where spin-friendly conditions could come into play.
SA vs AUS: Australia 11 for WTC Final
Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc
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