ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 squads
South Africa and Australia put forward their 15-player squads for World Test Championship Final beginning on June 11 at Lord's.
The teams both announced their squad on Tuesday May 13, with the Proteas making headlines with fast bowling selections by recalling Lungi Ngidi, and Australia announcing the returns of skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green.
South Africa squad: 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
Australia squad: 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 (vc), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett
Winning moment of #WTC23 Final
The Aussies celebrate as they claim the 2023 World Test Championship Final against India
There are questions for the Proteas at the top of the order, with Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton all opening in the recent home series against Pakistan.
A maiden double century in Tests for Ryan Rickelton as the Proteas pile on the runs in Cape Town 💥#WTC25 | 📝 #SAvPAK: https://t.co/AUvsQcdxg8 pic.twitter.com/pa7lFdJNi4
— ICC (@ICC) January 4, 2025
The middle order too has questions of its makeup, though there are perhaps bigger decisions to be made in terms of the bowling attack, with Keshav Maharaj's role in the side considered given the favourable conditions for fast bowling.
For the Australians, Green is tipped to make his first Test appearance in more than 12 months after recovering from back surgery, though the 25-year-old will not be a bowling options for Cummins, throwing up selection questions for the side attempting to defend the WTC mace.
Fellow all-rounder Beau Webster remains in the squad after an impressive start to his Test career, while there are questions as to who opens the batting with Usman Khawaja.
Wicket! TV umpire rules catch as Green stunner removes Gill | WTC23 Final
Cameron Green took a low catch to send back Shubman Gill as India lost their first wicket of the second innings at the stroke of Tea.
Travis Head opened the batting with Khawaja during Australia's most recent Test series in Sri Lanka, though the attacking left-hander looks set to return to his preferred position at No.5 against the Proteas.
Teenager Sam Konstas showed some excellent signs during the memorable series victory over India that helped clinch Australia's place in the World Test Championship Final, but it may be too much to ask the 19-year-old to open the batting at Test level on his first trip to England.
There has been talk of former No.1 ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne moving up from his preferred spot at No.3 and filling in as opener at Lord's and this may provide the Aussies with more stability at the top and allow them to bolster their middle-order.
The World Test Championship Final begins on June 11 at Lord's.