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Marnus Labuschagne is about to open the innings, and Josh Hazlewood has beaten Scott Boland for a spot in Australia’s now-confirmed playing 11 for the WTC Final vs South Africa.
Marnus Labuschagne is about to open within the WTC final against South Africa (Image: AP)
Pacer Scott Boland has missed out on Australia’s 11 for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa, which begins on Wednesday (June 11) at Lord’s. Skipper Pat Cummins announced the team, confirming all of the expected tweaks within the team, with Josh Hazlewood taking his place back as one in all the pace trio, Marnus Labuschagne opening the batting for the primary time and Beau Webster picked for the number six spot.
Boland, 36, has once more paid the value for being a wonderful, but still the fourth-best, fast bowler within the country. With Josh Hazlewood coming back from the side injury that kept him in another country’s previous few Tests, Boland must be content with the bench, despite carrying a surprising Test average of 17.66. Hazlewood will play his first WTC final, having missed out on the defending champions’ 2023 win over India on the Oval, too.
“There are some guys where you generally say you’ve done nothing unsuitable, don’t change a thing, and that’s Scott and he’s just really unlucky to miss out,” Cummins said on the press conference. “The message to Scott is there’s loads of Test matches coming up in the following couple of years, and simply because you’re in your mid-30s doesn’t mean you’re missing this Test and that’s the last Test of your profession. I believe by having a squad of fast bowlers, hopefully we are able to extend loads of careers for an additional couple of years.”
Meanwhile, Labuschagne becomes one other addition to the Australia Test opening musical chairs. Sam Konstas impressed on debut against India throughout the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but was dropped for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka. Having already tried Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Nathan McSweeney, and a number of other others within the role, the selectors appeared to have finally zeroed in on a promotion for Labuschagne.
Australia will hope he can come good in the brand new role and improve on his form (he hasn’t scored a Test century since 2023). His jump up top will mean Cameron Green, playing his first Test after undergoing back surgery in the summertime, will bat at three. But Green can still only play as a specialist batter and hence, Beau Webster, who can bowl each spin and medium-pace, will take up the all-rounder’s role.
Australia’s playing 11 for WTC Final against South Africa: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood.
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