On the eve of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s, Australia find themselves with a familiar but welcome headache. With a surplus of talent and a shortage of certainties, Australia can make multiple lineups to defend their Test championship title. The squad, named for both the one-off Test and the West Indies tour, leaves several spots up for debate.
1. Does Marnus Labuschagne still deserve a spot?
Marnus Labuschagne has been a fixture in the Australian Test side since 2019, but recent form has left plenty to ponder. In this WTC cycle, he’s averaged just 28.33 with no centuries since the 2023 Ashes. His scoring rate has also dipped, with just 46.4 in the past two years compared to his career strike rate of 51.94. His county stint with Glamorgan hasn’t offered much hope either: scores of 0, 4, and 23 in three innings.
With conditions at Lord’s expected to assist seam and swing, questions linger whether Labuschagne can handle the new ball against the likes of Kagiso Rabada, especially after struggles against Jasprit Bumrah during the India series.
2. Should Cameron Green take the No. 3 slot?
Cameron Green’s resurgence post-back surgery has been one of Australia’s biggest positives in 2025. Although he’s been playing as a batter only, he has looked in sublime touch in county cricket for Gloucestershire, scoring 128, 67*, 118*, and 25 in his recent outings. In nine innings, he has averaged 66.71.
Although Green cannot bowl at the WTC Final, he is a solid enough option to provide stability at number three. “I’m always going to keep bowling, but you’re so much more relaxed [with] half a game to worry about,” he told ESPNcricinfo.
“When you’re bowling and batting, there’s so much more you have to do bowling-wise to keep yourself fit and ready to play. It does take away from batting. Certainly, just batting is nice.”
3. Who opens with Usman Khawaja?
Usman Khawaja remains the anchor at the top, but who partners him remains unsettled. Travis Head was tried in Sri Lanka but isn’t expected to reprise that role simply due to conditions. Sam Konstas, who impressed during the India series at home, is an option, but his lack of experience in English conditions poses a risk.
If Konstas is benched, Labuschagne may move up to open, a move that has been speculated for some time now. But this would mean Australia could have two defensive openers. Labuschagne’s form hasn’t been great either.
4. Inglis or Carey, or both?
Both Alex Carey and Josh Inglis are in the XI, at least as projected, with Carey expected to take the gloves. However, if Inglis plays purely as a batter, it could upset the balance, especially with the top order already under scrutiny. Instead of Inglis, Australia can include someone like Beau Webster, who can roll his arm over and is a potent threat too. Pat Cummins needs to have a decision soon.
5. Does Scott Boland have enough to keep Josh Hazlewood?
The age-old battle between durability and horses-for-courses continues. Josh Hazlewood, fresh off a strong IPL campaign, should be an automatic choice. He forms one of the deadliest fast bowling attacks alongside Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Also, Hazlewood has never lost a Test at Lord’s.
But Scott Boland is another option, known for his relentless accuracy and ability to exploit English conditions with the Dukes ball. Boland had a huge impact (21 wickets at an average of 13) in Border-Gavaskar series in the three Tests he played in place of the injured Hazlewood. The selectors may stick to the trusted trio of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood — but Boland’s style could be tailor-made for Lord’s. Read more about Hazlewood vs Boland here.
Australia Test Squad for WTC Final
Pat Cummins (c) Scott Boland Alex Carey Cameron Green Josh Hazlewood Travis Head Josh Inglis Usman Khawaja Sam Konstas Matt Kuhnemann Marnus Labuschagne Nathan Lyon Steve Smith Mitchell Starc Beau WebsterTravelling Reserve: Brendan Doggett
These players will also be part of the West Indies Tour
Australia’s Probable XI for WTC Final vs SA
Usman Khawaja Marnus Labuschagne Steve Smith Cameron Green Travis Head Beau Webster/Jos Inglis Alex Carey Pat Cummins Mitchell Starc Josh Hazlewood Nathan LyonAustralia’s selection puzzle: 5 burning questions for Pat Cummins ahead of WTC Final at Lord’s Inside Sport India.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Australia’s selection puzzle: 5 burning questions for Pat Cummins ahead of WTC Final at Lord’s )
Also on site :