Last Updated on 11 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Australia have the opportunity to add to their impressive ICC trophy cabinet when they take on South Africa in the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s. Pat Cummins’ team are seeking to successfully defend the title they won in 2023, where they produced an excellent display to beat India by 209 runs at The Oval.

Here is Australia’s squad for the 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 Webster. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett

Australia start as favourites for the WTC Final, but they have questions around the make up of the XI. Who partners Usman Khawaja is top of the agenda, as well as whether Cameron Green will make a comeback to Test cricket in this huge clash.

Also, Scott Boland, who was outstanding in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, might not find a place in the team.

Australia predicted XI for the 2025 WTC Final at Lord’s: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood

In a big development, Marnus Labuschagne is tipped to open the batting alongside Khawaja. According to Sydney Morning Herald, selectors met to discuss the squad for the WTC Final. While Sam Konstas is in the squad, it is reported he won’t make the final XI.

It is a view that former Australia captain Mark Taylor agrees with. “I’m not going Konstas,” said Taylor on SENQ Breakfast.

“I’m leaving him out and keeping Marnus but moving him to the top of the order just for that Test [WTC Final].”

However, Taylor would like to see Konstas start at the top in the West Indies tour, which increases the pressure on Labuschagne.

“I’m putting Konstas in my XI for the start of the West Indies tour and see how he goes,” said the former opening batsman. “Hopefully he cements his spot there for the rest of the year.”

Since marking his revival with a stunning innings on the first morning of the 2024 Boxing Day Test, Konstas has found the going difficult. The 19-year-old has struggled to settle on a style of play at the top of the order, often unable to balance ultra-aggression with the traditional style of batting that put him on the map at the start of the 2024/25 season.

“With Sam, look at what happened in the summer; he played that MCG innings which I think surprised everyone including himself, I don’t think he normally plays that way,” Taylor said.

“He took a chance to play a T20 type innings and got away with it, but I don’t think you can make a career playing like that.”

However, Konstas remains a chance to play given Labuschagne’s continued poor run of form. He managed scores of 0, 4 and 23 in his three innings for Glamorgan ahead of the Final. A common theme in Labuschagne’s dismissals was him squaring up and edging behind – a trend that may have selectors worried.

If Konstas does play, it will likely be at the expense of Labuschagne to open the door for Cameron Green to make the XI. Green has enjoyed a successful County season to date, hitting three centuries in five matches for Gloucestershire to all but confirm his spot.

However, Steve Smith will certainly bat at four. He enjoyed a superb run of form since returning to the position after a short stint as opener, hitting four centuries in his last five Tests against India and Sri Lanka.

“I can confirm that Smudge [Steve Smith] will definitely be batting four,” said skipper Pat Cummins in an interview with The Grade Cricketer for Amazon Video.

Beau Webster, who has made a brilliant start to Test cricket, will provide the all-important balance and fifth bowling option.

Speaking of the bowlers, Scott Boland may find himself unlucky to miss out once again. Boland, who has 56 wickets at an average of 17.66, has regularly found himself waiting for opportunities with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood forming a prolific trio over the years. Hazlewood will feature for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the playoffs, while Pat Cummins (season over for SRH) and Mitchell Starc (did not return to DC) can shift their focus to the big Test.

The 2025 WTC Final kicks off on June 11.