Last Updated on 11 months ago by Charbel Coorey
Former Australia wicket-keeper Brad Haddin has named his Australia XI for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final against South Africa at Lord’s.
Brad Haddin’s Australian XI for the 2025 WTC Final: 1. Cameron Green, 2. Usman Khawaja, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon/Scott Boland, 11. Josh Hazlewood
Brad Haddin picks Cameron Green to open in WTC Final against South Africa
Haddin believes Cameron Green will come back into the XI, but where he bats is the key question. Also, Haddin says there could be a world where Nathan Lyon misses out depending on conditions at Lord’s.
“I think Cameron Green will come back into the squad… and what that looks like, I think you’ll see him at either one or three, and Marnus the other one [position]. I think that’s the way they’ll go,” Haddin said, speaking on the Willow Talk Podcast.
Haddin believes Australia will opt for tried and tested players in the WTC Final, before looking at other options if needed in the West Indies tour to follow.
Labuschagne finds himself under pressure following three lean outings for Glamorgan in the leadup to the WTC Final. Australia’s number three was dismissed for 0, 4 and 23, with the consistent nature of his dismissals – caught edging behind the wicket – is cause for concern.
“They’ll use the players they’ve used over this cycle. I think the Test team could look a lot different in the West Indies, but for the Test Championships, I think Cameron Green will come straight back in,” Haddin said.
Depending on conditions, Australia may need to find a way to get Scott Boland in the XI. Boland has been superb in Test cricket, taking 56 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 17.66. He was awarded man of the match in his last Test – against India at the SCG in January – where he took 4/31 and 6/45.
“It’ll be interesting with the forecast for that Test match, if it is overcast and we know Lord’s… do you think there’s a world here where Lyno [Nathan Lyon] doesn’t play that one-off game?” Haddin asked.
The WTC Final kicks off on June 11.
