Australia name their squad for the World Test Championship Final, with Konstas and Cam Green named in the side.
Australia name World Test Championship final squad to face South Africa at Lord’s.
Until closer to the Test match against South Africa at Lord’s, when it will be decided whether to recall Sam Konstas and whether Cameron Green can be fit back into the side, the speculation about who will open for Australia in the World Test Championship final is probably going to continue.
For those players in the WTC team who choose to return to the IPL, which will start on May 17 with the final moved to June 3, one week prior to the Test, the selectors and management will modify their preparation schedules in the interim.
Australia’s 15-man team for the final, which will also be the same one that travels to the West Indies soon after, was unsurprising. Green, who is presently playing for Gloucestershire after recovering from an injury, has been added. Left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann will take the final spot, directly covering Nathan Lyon at Lord’s and presumably joining him in the West Indies. Another batting option and backup wicketkeeper behind Alex Carey is Josh Inglis, who scored a century on his Test debut against Sri Lanka.
Prior to the IPL’s suspension, Josh Hazlewood developed a shoulder issue, but Australia’s medical team is not currently concerned about it. Selectors were cautious because of the upcoming Ashes series, and Hazlewood, who had a home summer filled with injuries against India, was eliminated from the 2023 WTC final when he was unable to fully recover from a side strain.
The two-Test series in Sri Lanka earlier this year was missed by skipper Pat Cummins (ankle and paternity leave) and Hazlewood (calf).
For a few more weeks, the team is open to change before any injured replacements need technical committee clearance.
A travelling reserve will be Brendan Doggett, a South Australia fast who is now playing county cricket at Durham after having an incredible domestic season.
The revised IPL schedule has added a layer of complexity to Australia’s final preparations. Before moving to London for the Test, the players are scheduled to begin a pre-tour camp in Scotland in late May.
“Following the announcement that the IPL will resume on Saturday, Cricket Australia will support players in their individual decisions whether to return to India or not,” a CA spokesperson said. “Team management will work through preparation implications for the World Test Championship Final for those players who choose to play in the remaining IPL matches. We are maintaining communication with the Australian Government and BCCI around security arrangements and safety.”