Australian selectors set stage for Sam Konstas showdown after naming World Test Championship squad

The 19-year-old has once again been challenged to prove himself ahead of the World Test Championship final.

Australia have picked a full-strength squad for the World Test Championship final against South Africa as they look to retain the trophy they won in 2023.

Cameron 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 in the 15-man squad.

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.

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

But he has once again been challenged to prove himself amid a selection dilemma at the top, particularly if they opt 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 — with Konstas left out just as he was in Sri Lanka.

The 19-year-old could then face the same situation when the 15-man squad tours the West Indies for three Test matches in June and July.

Cameron Green is set to return as a batter. Credit: AAP

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

Star quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood both missed the tour of Sri Lanka, but were fit and firing in the Indian Premier League prior to the latter nursing a shoulder injury in recent days.

“We are fortunate and looking forward to having Pat (Cummins), Josh (Hazlewood) and Cam (Green) back in the squad,” Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey said on Tuesday.

“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.”

Australian squad for World Test Championship final and West Indies tour

Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Scott Boland