Sam Konstas has been included in Australia’s squad for next month’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s, as selectors named a settled group that includes second spinner Matt Kuhnemann and South Australian quick Brendan Doggett as a travelling reserve.
Cricket Australia on Tuesday confirmed the touring party, with a core group of 16 players who will face South Africa and then travel to the West Indies for a three-Test series in June and July.
Sam Konstas.Credit: Getty Images
Pat Cummins returns to captain the side after sitting out the Sri Lanka tour due to the birth of his second child. Fellow Test regulars Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green also return from injury.
Green and fellow all-rounder Beau Webster could be in a head-to-head battle for a spot in the XI, depending on conditions at Lord’s and the preferred team balance.
Hazlewood has been managing a minor shoulder issue, but team officials believe he is in no doubt for Australia’s tilt at a second straight World Test Championship title.
Konstas was named to tour Sri Lanka earlier this year but returned to Australia after being overlooked for both Tests in Galle. The 19-year-old will embark on his first tour of England, hoping to resume his spot at the top of the order next to Usman Khawaja.
Australia Test squad for World Test Championship final and West Indies tour
- 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)
As revealed by this masthead, selectors are seriously considering opening with Marnus Labuschagne for the WTC final in a one-off fixture.
South Australian fast bowler Doggett, who finished fifth on the Sheffield Shield wicket-takers list with 33 wickets at 24.15, joins the squad as cover for Australia’s frontline pace attack of Cummins, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.
There was no room for top-order batter Nathan McSweeney, who featured in the early part of the summer against India, or NSW all-rounder Sean Abbott.
Chair of selectors George Bailey said the return of Cummins, Hazlewood and Green came at an ideal time.
Cam Green raises the bat after reaching 150 against New Zealand.Credit: AP
“We are fortunate and looking forward to having Pat [Cummins], Josh [Hazlewood] and Cam [Green] back in the squad,” Bailey said 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.”
Australia won the last World Test Championship final in 2023, against India at The Oval, thanks to first innings centuries from Steve Smith (121) and Travis Head (163).
Australia last played South Africa in the home summer of 2022-23, beating the Proteas 2-0 in a three-Test series.
