WTC Final 2025: Why is Scott Boland not playing in AUS vs SA?

Australia (AUS) are set to face South Africa (SA) in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at Lord's Cricket Ground, London. The highly anticipated clash will begin on June 11 and conclude on June 15.

South Africa finished at the top of the WTC points table, having played 12 matches and won eight. Under the leadership of skipper Temba Bavuma, the Proteas remain unbeaten in Tests during this cycle and will be aiming to capitalise on their dominant run with a championship win.

On the other hand, Australia played 19 matches, winning 13, and entered the final as the defending champions. The Aussies will look to retain their WTC title by triumphing in what is called as The Ultimate Test against a strong South African side.

Toss Update

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bowl first, taking into account the overcast conditions expected to favour the bowlers. Australia captain Pat Cummins said he would have loved to bat and added that, having played at Lord’s before, the team is looking forward to enjoying the game.

Scott Boland misses the WTC Final at Lord's

The right-arm pacer Scott Boland misses out on The Ultimate Test as Australia opt for a more experienced pace trio consisting of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins. Despite Boland's impressive recent form in the red-ball format, the Australians have backed their senior bowlers for the big occasion. South Africa, on the other hand, will rely on Kagiso Rabada to lead the attack with the new ball, while Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi will support him from the other end.

What did the captains say?

Temba Bavuma, South Africa

Will have a bowl first looking at the overhead conditions. Looks like a good pitch. Too late to change the team, we have selected the best combination. All 15 of us are confident. We all have had some allegiance to Lord's, the emotion will hit us when the anthems stat playing. It is a massive final, it should be a spectacle out here.

Pat Cummins, Australia

Happy to bat first. Looks like a good wicket with a few clouds. Prep wise it has been unreal, 15 guys working very hard for that title. (On the hectic schedule) You get used to it the more you are playing, we have had about 10 days prep and we are ready. Doesn't feel like any extra pressure. We've been here before and we've won it. This week is all about enjoying the moment.

Playing XIs

South Africa

Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma(c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne(wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

Australia

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