Last Updated on 2 weeks by Charbel Coorey
It’s a case of a deja vu for Australia. Usman Khawaja’s opening partner was the big topic of conversation before the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), and it is the case again ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against South Africa at Lord’s starting June 11.
Sam Konstas replaced Nathan McSweeney in the fourth Test of the BGT. He made an immediate impression, ramping Jasprit Bumrah on an unforgettable first morning of the 2024 Boxing Day Test. However, it has been relatively lean pickings for Konstas since, with the 19-year-old unsure of the style he wants to implement at the top of the order.
Travis Head was shifted to opener for the two-match series in Sri Lanka in January and February, with Konstas left out. Now that Head will slot back to number five for Lord’s, Australia have a decision to make at the top. Konstas is tipped to open the batting, with journalist Ben Horne claiming the selectors have had a plan to bring him in.
“Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft… it’s good to see them in form over in English County Cricket, but I don’t think they’re in the frame. I don’t think they’re going to be in the squad,” said Horne on the Willow Talk podcast.
“To me, I think Sam Konstas will open the batting. I think they [the selectors] had a plan to bring him back [after leaving him out in Sri Lanka].”
The form of Marcus Harris could make him too difficult to ignore
However, if Australia want an in-form player for this one-off final, Marcus Harris is firmly in the frame. Even though he has been batting at four for Lancashire, Harris has been in prolific touch, making five 50+ scores in seven innings – including two hundreds – so far this season.
The left-hander has struck scores of 138 & 52 vs Middlesex, 43 & 50 vs Nothamptonshire, 77 & 34* vs Leicestershire, followed by 165* on day one against Gloucestershire in Manchester.
That being said, it looks like a long shot that the 32-year-old will make his way into the Australia XI for the WTC Final. Harris has had a tough time of things in Test cricket, averaging just 25.29 from 14 matches, including 9.66 in three Tests in England. But, form and confidence can play a big role in such a match, and Harris has plenty of it at the moment.
Australia also have a decision to make on Cameron Green. The 25-year-old made a successful return to cricket as a specialist batsman, hitting 112 in his first knock back for Gloucestershire against Kent on April 18.
Green could come in for Beau Webster, although that would be harsh on the all-rounder who has enjoyed a superb start to his Test career, including scores of 57 and 39* on a very difficult SCG pitch on debut against India.
Marnus Labuschagne is the player under the most pressure in the Australian top six, but it seems unlikely Australia will make a change at number three for the WTC Final.
Australia are gunning for their second-straight WTC title after beating India by 209 runs in the 2023 Final.
