Australia Squad For WTC Final vs South Africa Revealed; Cameron Green Returns

Australia announces squad for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final against South Africa at Lord’s, starting on June 11. Until the opening day of the fixture, the intrigue will be on the potential opening partner of Usman Khawaja.

On the other hand, the selectors and the management will need to adjust the preparation for the players who are part of both the WTC squad and the remainder of the IPL 2025, which will resume on May 17 with the final being pushed on June 03, a week before the red-ball clash.

No surprises in Australia’s 15-member WTC 2023-25 squad

The national side has not left any surprise in the 15-member squad of the Australian side for the final, with all-rounder Cameron Green returning from injury. He is currently featuring in the County Championship for Gloucestershire.

The left-arm spinner, Matthew Kuhnemann, has taken the final slot to provide backup to the veteran off-spinner, Nathan Lyon. Josh Inglis, who celebrated a fine Test debut century against Sri Lanka, is another reserve wicket-keeping option behind Alex Carey.

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Josh Hazlewood, reportedly, has picked up a shoulder injury and to be out of the IPL, but it hasn’t concerned the national medical staff. The lanky pacer, who went through a rough injury patch in the home summer against India, couldn’t play the last final for the cautious approach of the selectors, due to the Ashes.

Australia can freely make changes to the current squad for the next two weeks before the requirement of approval from the technical committee for any injury replacements.

Brendan Doggett, who had a fantastic domestic season and is currently playing for Durham, will be a travelling reserve. The same squad will make a trip to the West Indies for three Tests.

Australia faces a challenge with Usman Khawaja’s opening partner

Apart from the minor issues, Australia will need to think about deciding on the opening partner of the left-handed batter, Usman Khawaja. Sam Konstas had a dramatic debut against India before the selectors used Travis Head’s aggressive batting at the top order.

Also, they will need to consider the selection of Green as a batter-only following his back injury. The right-handed batter smashed a century on his return but has scored just 17 runs in the last four innings since then. If they open with Head and put Steve Smith at four, then Green can bat at number five.

On another route, the selectors will also try to keep an eye on Beau Webster, who batted at six on his debut Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Green’s inclusion will leave the side without an additional bowling option before the four specialists.

Australia’s preparations can be hampered by the updated IPL schedule. Their players are due to have a pre-tour camp in Scotland from late May before shifting to London ahead of the red-ball assignment.

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Most of their players, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Head, are unlikely to return to India for the last few league games, which will restart on May 17, as the final will take place on June 03.

Just 10 days after the end of the scheduled WTC final, Australia will fly to the Caribbean for the three-match Test series, starting at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Australia Squad for WTC 2025-25 final and West Indies Test Tour

Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster | Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett