WTC 2025 Final: Australia, South Africa name squad for title clash at Lord’s, IPL 2025 stars will…
Pace bowlers and IPL 2025 stars Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, along with all-rounder Cameron Green, have returned from injury to feature in Australia’s squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa next month. Young batter Sam Konstas, who made a promising debut last year, has also been retained.
Their opponent South Africa also announced a 15-member squad for the title clash at Lord’s from June 11, which will be led by Temba Bavuma. SA side will also features some top performers from the ongoing IPL 2025 season like MI’s Ryan Rickleton, SRH’s Aiden Markram and DC batter Tristan Stubbs.
Australia, the reigning WTC champions, secured their place in the final after a successful league campaign, which included a home series win over India and an away victory against Sri Lanka.
“These series capped a consistent performance across the two-year cycle and now present us with the incredibly exciting opportunity to defend the World Test Championship,” said chief selector George Bailey on Tuesday. “It means a lot to the group to reach the final, and they’re eagerly looking forward to the challenge South Africa will bring at Lord’s.”
Kyle Verreynne will be an electric presence behind the stumps and lower down the order, and all-rounders Wiaam Mulder and Marco Jansen can also contribute with the bat. Mulder and Jansen will be joined by ace pacer Kagiso Rabada, Ngidi, Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch to frame up the fast-bowling lineup. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj will be the face of the spin resources alongside Senuran Muthusamy.
The Proteas have largely kept faith in their trusted core, making only two changes to the 16-player squad that faced Pakistan. Youngster Kwena Maphaka misses out at the expense of the returning Ngidi, while top-order batter Matthew Breetzke also drops out.
South Africa finished at the top of the league stage with a points percentage of 69.44. They dominated at home, securing series wins against Pakistan and Sri Lanka while drawing against India.
Following the June 11–15 final at Lord’s, the same squad of Australia will travel to the Caribbean for a three-Test series against the West Indies. Green, 25, has not played international cricket since September due to back surgery but is currently making a gradual return to form, featuring in county cricket in England.
Captain Cummins missed the Sri Lanka series with an ankle injury, while Hazlewood has been sidelined since suffering a side strain during the India series in November. Both bowlers have recently been active in the IPL 2025, which resumes this weekend after a brief suspension due to border tensions between India and Pakistan. “We’re fortunate to welcome Pat, Josh, and Cam back into the squad,” Bailey added.
Konstas impressed on debut with a half-century in the Boxing Day Test against India but was left out for the subsequent tour of Sri Lanka.
WTC 2025 Final Australia vs South Africa squads
Australia: 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
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson
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