Aussies welcome back three stars for WTC final, Konstas returns after SL snub, opening role still causing headaches

Australia’s cricket team has welcomed back three big guns, including Test skipper Pat Cummins from injury, in a full-strength 15-man squad to face South Africa in the World Test Championship final next month.

Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green are back in the fold.

Green is in line to play his first Test in more than a year after recovering from back surgery, but the allrounder is only in contention as a batter.

After missing out on selection for both Tests in Sri Lanka, whiz kid Sam Konstas has been named.

Sam Konstas bats. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Travis Head was preferred as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner for that successful tour, but the reigning Allan Border Medallist will slot back into No.5 for the WTC final.

Josh Inglis has also emerged as a contender to open, with George Bailey admitting that the coaching staff were weighing up three genuine partnerships – Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne and Inglis all in the mix.

“I’ve said the same about Marnus,” Bailey said on Tuesday.

“I do think it’s a role that more people could do.

“I know there is a prevailing thought it is a specialised role. 

“In certain conditions there’s opportunities at different times that guys could do it, whether that’s England for Josh, or whether it’s in that middle order where he’s had success already.”

Konstas produced an eye-catching Test debut on Boxing Day, taking it up to Indian maestro Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia face selection dilemmas at the top, particularly if they elect to pick Green in the middle order.

Marnus Labuschagne, who has been below his best for more than two years, is an option to open with Khawaja.

That would mean Steve Smith, who has recaptured his best, could move up to No.3, then Green bats at No.4.

Cameron Green. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

In Green’s most recent Test back in March 2024, the towering West Australian batted at No.4, while Smith opened.

Star quicks Cummins and Hazlewood both missed the tour of Sri Lanka, but were fit and firing in the Indian Premier League.

“We are fortunate and looking forward to having Pat (Cummins), Josh (Hazlewood) and Cam (Green) back in the squad,” said selection chief George Bailey in a statement.

“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.”

The squad will remain the same for the Test tour of the West Indies following the WTC final which will be played on June 11-15.

AUSTRALIA

Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)
Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club) 
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club) 
Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)   
Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club) 
Sam Konstas (NSW/Sutherland District Cricket Club)
Matt Kuhnemann (TAS/Clarence Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club) 
Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club) 
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Beau Webster (TAS/Kingborough Cricket Club)
*Travelling reserve:* Brendan Doggett (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)