Australia would be roaring to win back-to-back ICC WTC titles after triumph in the 2021-23 edition. This time, Australia has a new opposition in the final, South Africa as the final is on 11th June at Lord’s. Cricket Australia (CA) has added the batting sensation Sam Konstas in the squad as his fiery strokeplay was quite a delight during Boxing Day Test against India.
South Africa has been quite a dark horse in the ICC WTC 2023-25 cycle. Even after Proteas qualified for final, many experts from world cricket pointed out that they played only 12 Test matches, out of which they won 8, which wasn’t an easy task at all as they had to grind a lot,
Chief selector George Bailey eager to defend ICC WTC title
Cricket Australia’s (CA) chief selector was having an interaction with the media. George Bailey pointed out the victories over India & Sri Lanka as the highlight of the WTC cycle. George Bailey stated that Australia isn’t taking South Africa lightly.
“We are fortunate and looking forward to having Pat, Josh and Cam back in the squad .The team finished the WTC cycle with an impressive series victory in Sri Lanka following an equally strong summer in defeating India for the first time in a decade,”
“Those series capped a consistent performance across the two-year cycle and now presents us with the incredibly exciting opportunity to defend the World Test Championship. It means a lot to the group to reach the final and they are very much looking forward to the challenge South Africa will present at Lord’s,”
Australia’s squad: Pat Cummins (capt), 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
IPL conundrum for CA
It remains to be seen how CA manages the workload of Australian players. Pat Cummins & Travis Head would be available to join the team early given SRH aren’t going to qualify for the playoffs. Josh Hazlewood (*RCB) & Mitchell Starc (*DC) both these teams are in contention of the playoffs
If both DC & PBKS enter playoffs which commences from 29th May, and final on 3rd June, then CA would be worried. There’s unthinkable and unimaginable difference between red ball & T20 cricket and also Starc & Hazlewood would be exhausted with travel and intense net sessions. According to sources with knowledge, Hazlewood is injured as he very soon might do rehabiliation.
Australia a powerhouse
Australia under the leadership of Pat Cummins has been a force to reckon with. The side won a Test series against India after a decade and by a margin of 3-1. Apart from the BGT triumph, Aussies won a Test series in Sri Lanka by 2-0 and that too after 2011, as the side is now quite well equipped to rank turners as well.
The inclusion of Sam Konstas can be said a brilliant move, given he will get used to the final match pressure. It’s quite worth noting that Konstas was in the squad for Sri Lanka Tests but didn’t play. Travis Head open the batting and scored 98 runs in 3 innings as his aggressive brand of cricket wasn’t that productive.
Aussies, though, would be pumped up with the inclusion of Cameron Green. The flamboyant all-rounder missed the entire summer due to finger issue and recently can be seen playing for Gloucestershire and is slowly getting back to his groove. Cameron Green gives Australia an extra fast bowling option which is invaluable.
The squad has a good blend of youth and experience, given the veteran Nathan Lyon & rising Matthew Kuhnemann form a deadly combo. CA has prioritized red ball cricket and made sure that Cummins, Starc & Hazlewood & Lyon play most of matches together. The quartet would be keen to win yet another ICC WTC final but Proteas have a point to prove that their journey to final isn’t a fluke.