WTC Final 2025: Australia announce playing XI for Lord's clash against South Africa

Australia have announced their playing XI for the blockbuster World Test Championship final against South Africa at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, starting June 11. The playing XI for the title defense game saw some notable selections and surprising omissions.

The most eye-catching aspect of Australia's team selection is the reshuffling of their batting order, with Marnus Labuschagne promoted to open alongside Usman Khawaja. There is also the return of all-rounder Cameron Green, who has made a comeback following back surgery. Green's inclusion at number three is set to push the batting lineup down.

In the bowling department, Josh Hazlewood has been preferred over Scott Boland for the third seamer's position. The choice is surprising given Boland's recent heroics, where he claimed 10 wickets in his last Test match in Sydney, playing a crucial role in Australia's Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph.

However, Hazlewood's record at Lord's speaks for itself as the pacer has been Australia's most successful pacer at the venue since Glenn McGrath, claiming 13 wickets in three matches.

However, the decision to overlook Boland has caught significant attention, considering the Victorian pacer's performance in the previous WTC Final (2021-23) against India, where he picked five wickets, including a three-wicket haul in the second innings. 

Tall all-rounder Beau Webster has also retained his position at number six, and wis expected to add depth with both bat and ball. Meanwhile teenage sensation Sam Konstas and wicket-keeper Josh Inglis, have missed out on selection.

"Cam Green, the last few weeks, he's had coming back in great form, we thought he deserves a spot somewhere in the batting line-up. We thought three probably suits him best. And then with Marnus moving, we thought it's one spot up, it's not too different to batting at three. He's done well here in England in the past. All the boys have trained well, him, Sam and Josh Inglis have all trained really well but I thought selectors went with Marnus' experience and done well here at Lord's and England in general," Cummins said on match eve.

Australia playing XI for WTC final 2025

Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood