AGENCIES

Australia and South Africa have named full-strength squads for the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s, starting June 11.

Australia welcome back skipper Pat Cummins, pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood, and all-rounder Cameron Green in a 15-man squad.

All three missed the Sri Lanka series due to injury but return in peak form. Cummins and Hazlewood have impressed in the Indian Premier League, with Hazlewood taking 18 wickets despite a minor shoulder niggle ruling him out of his last IPL appearance.

Green, recovering from back surgery, is already in England playing county cricket for Gloucestershire. He’s hit form quickly, scoring a century in his first game back, albeit as a specialist batter.

Another key inclusion is 19-year-old batting prodigy Sam Konstas, who dazzled on debut against India at the MCG. He’s expected to partner Usman Khawaja at the top.

Chair of selectors George Bailey said, “We are fortunate and looking forward to having Pat, Josh, and Cam back in the squad.” He praised the team’s momentum after their WTC cycle-ending win in Sri Lanka and their historic home series victory over India.

Meanwhile, South Africa are bolstered by the return of ace pacer Kagiso Rabada, back from a suspension after testing positive for a recreational drug during the SA20 league.

He leads a potent pace battery featuring Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, and Corbin Bosch. Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy would provide variety on a seam-friendly Lord’s surface.

Captain Temba Bavuma heads a stable batting group, including Aiden Markram and exciting youngster Tristan Stubbs. “We’ve stuck with the core group,” said coach Shukri Conrad. South Africa will fine-tune their preparations with a four-day warm-up match against Zimbabwe in Arundel from June 3–6, while Australia aim to defend their 2023 title and become the first team to retain the WTC crown.