Follow UsAustralia’s makeshift opener Marnus Labuschagne will be put to test straightaway at Lord’s as Temba Bavuma has won the toss and opted to bowl in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia. It’s the third straight WTC Final in which the captain winning the toss has opted to bowl. However, in the 2023 final between India and Australia, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side lost despite winning the toss and opting to bowl in favourable conditions.
Both Australia and South Africa have announced their Playing XIs already. While Australia are fielding both Cameron Green and Beau Webster, South Africa have opted to bring in Lungi Ngidi, who has only played two Tests since the start of 2023. Green’s return for Australia has pushed Sam Konstas out of the XI, thereby pushing Labuschagne up the order.
It might be a good toss to lose for Australia, as in the last three matches at Lord’s, the team batting first has won twice. Australia were put into bat against England in similar conditions two years ago and the Kangaroos emerged victorious there, winning by 43 runs.
Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma(c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne(w), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi