Australia and South Africa have announced their playing elevens for the 2025 World Test Championship Final which starts on Wednesday at Lord’s. The standouts are arguably the confirmation of Marnus Labuschagne as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner for Australia and the absence of Scott Boland in favour of the returning Josh Hazlewood. South Africa, meanwhile, have left out fast bowler Dane Paterson, who had taken six wickets against Pakistan in his last Test.
The Proteas squad is largely on expected lines with Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder and David Bedingham all set to face Australia for the first time in their young Test careers. Their bowling attack will be led by Kagiso Rabada, with Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi making up the pace battery along with all-rounder Mulder. Keshav Maharaj is the lone spinner. Australia, on the other hand, have their age-old bowling lineup of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.
Ngidi is making a return to the side after missing South Africa’s home summer due to groin injury. “It was probably one of the tougher decisions that have been made, we’ve seen what ‘Pato’ (Paterson) did for us to the end of last season,” Bavuma said on the eve of the match.
“But it was more from a tactical point of view, a little bit more pace from Lungi, he’s taller as well. Lungi also has a good record, not taking away anything from Pato, he has the experience, he’s been here before, not that Paterson hasn’t.”
Boland was Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker after Cummins in the decisive Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. He 21 wickets in six innings at an average of just 13.19. However, as has often been the case for him throughout his career, Boland had found a spot in the squad for the series due to an injury to Hazlewood and with the latter returning, the 36-year-old sits out once again. Moreover, Boland has never played at Lord’s where Hazlewood is the most successful Australian fast bowler since Glenn McGrath with 13 wickets in three matches.
Ngidi is making a return to the side after missing South Africa’s home summer due to groin injury. “It was probably one of the tougher decisions that have been made, we’ve seen what ‘Pato’ (Paterson) did for us to the end of last season,” Bavuma said on the eve of the match.
“But it was more from a tactical point of view, a little bit more pace from Lungi, he’s taller as well. Lungi also has a good record, not taking away anything from Pato, he has the experience, he’s been here before, not that Paterson hasn’t.”
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Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi