Captain Pat Cummins has confirmed Australia’s playing XI for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against South Africa at Lord’s on Wednesday.
Marnus Labuschagne is all set to open the batting alongside fellow Queenslander Usman Khawaja, with Cameron Green—returning to the team—set to bat at number three following his recovery from back surgery.
“Cam Green, in the last few weeks, has come back in great form. We thought he deserves a spot somewhere in the batting line-up,” Cummins said on the eve of the match. “We felt number three probably suits him best. And then with Marnus moving, we thought it’s just one spot up—it’s not too different from batting at three. He’s done well here in England in the past.”
Despite teenage sensation Sam Konstas impressing in training and Josh Inglis scoring a century on debut against Sri Lanka, the selectors opted for the experience of Labuschagne and Green.
“All the boys have trained well—Sam (Konstas), Josh Inglis—but I think the selectors went with Marnus’ experience. He’s performed well here at Lord’s and in England in general,” Cummins added.
In-form Josh Hazlewood has been picked over Scott Boland, who is once again unlucky to miss out. Hazlewood has a good record at Lord’s, having taken 13 wickets in three matches.
Beau Webster retains his spot at number six as the only seam-bowling all-rounder, with Green playing as a specialist batter.
Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
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