Pat Cummins will lead Australia in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 Final against South Africa. Australia and South Africa are set to face off in the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 at Lord’s. The high-stakes Test match will begin on Wednesday, June 11, marking the ultimate showdown for the coveted ICC Test mace.
While Australia will be aiming to defend their WTC title, South Africa will be looking to end their long wait for an ICC trophy. On Tuesday, June 10, Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins announced the team’s playing XI for the final during a press conference in London.
Pacer Scott Boland, who delivered an impressive performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, has been left out of the squad. Instead, Josh Hazlewood will partner with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in Australia’s pace attack.
Marnus Labuschagne to Open; Sam Konstas Left Out
Josh Hazlewood returns to Test cricket after a five-month break, having last played in December 2024 against India during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25. He was sidelined midway through that series due to injury. In a notable change, defending champions Australia have promoted Marnus Labuschagne to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 Final. As a result, young batter Sam Konstas has been left out of the playing XI.
Beau Webster retains his place in the side and will contribute with both his off-spin and medium-pace bowling. Cameron Green makes his comeback to the Test team after recovering from back surgery. The all-rounder last played for Australia in September 2024 and featured in a Test match in March last year.
Australia’s XI for the ICC WTC 2023–25 Final: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Steve Smith and Travis Head will carry significant responsibility in the middle order, having set the tone for victory with their centuries in the 2023 WTC final. Earlier in the day, South Africa also announced their playing XI, with Temba Bavuma set to lead the side in this high-stakes encounter.
