WTC final: Australia announces squad for Lord's clash against South Africa

Team Australia. Pic/AFP

Ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, Australia has named their squad to lock horns against South Africa at the Lord's, according to a release from Cricket Australia (CA).

Cameron Green has returned to the setup after undergoing back surgery. Spinner Matt Kuhnemann has also made the cut in the national team, as Australia announced its squad for the WTC final and the West Indies tour.

Sheffield Shield player of the final, Brendan Doggett, has been named a travelling reserve for the 15-player squad, which otherwise features no major surprises from outside the group that beat Sri Lanka 2-0 and India 3-1 last summer.

In the WTC final starting from June 11, the Pat Cummins-led Australia will aim to become the first team to win multiple titles when they clash against the "Rainbow Nation".

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Previously, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood missed out on the Sri Lanka tour and the Champions Trophy campaign due to injuries. Recently, the pace duo has returned to the action during the IPL 2025.

Australia won four of its six series to clinch a spot in its second straight WTC final. It also drew 2-2 with England in the 2023 Ashes and 1-1 with West Indies during the 2023-24 home summer.

South Africa topped the standings with eight wins from 12 Tests for a points percentage of 69.44, while Australia's was 67.54 with 13 wins from 19 matches.

"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," selection chair George Bailey said.

"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," Bailey added.

Selectors have opted for the same squad for three Tests in the Caribbean with Beau Webster retained as the preferred allrounder following a strong start to his Test career, while Sam Konstas is back in the mix after leaving Sri Lanka early to finish the domestic season with NSW.

Australia squad for WTC final: 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, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett.

(With ANI Inputs)