All-rounder returns as Australia name XI for AUS vs SA 2025 WTC Final

The Australian cricket team have named their playing XI for the massive World Test Championship (WTC) against South Africa, beginning on Wednesday, June 11, at the Lord's Cricket Ground. All-rounder Marnus Labuschagne will open the innings, while Cameron Green has returned to the eleven and is likely to bat at number three.

Despite showing plenty of promise over the summer against India, Sam Konstas missed out on the playing eleven. Instead, Labuschagne, whose returns have come under the scanner in the previous few matches, has been pushed to open the innings. Although Green hasn't played for the national team since September 2024, he marked a successful return for Gloucestershire in English County Cricket, hitting three centuries for them.

With Green unlikely to bowl, Beau Webster has also been picked to offer Australia an extra bowling option. Webster, who made his Test debut against India in Sydney earlier this year and starred in the home side's victory, has enjoyed a decent county stint with Warwickshire. In the pace-bowling department, Scott Boland misses out as Josh Hazlewood will partner captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.

Australia XI: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood.

"He's done well here in England in the past" - Australian captain on promoting Marnus Labuschagne to the opening spot

Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne. (Credits: Getty)

Australian skipper Cummins reckons Labuschagne won't find it too different opening the innings from batting at number three and reckons his experience in England is critical. The 32-year-old stated, as quoted by cricket.com.au:

"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."

The Baggy Greens have won 18 out of 40 Tests at Lord's.