Australia Reveals Playing XI for World Test Championship Final Against South Africa

Australia's Squad Announcement for the WTC Final

Australia has unveiled their lineup for the World Test Championship final, set to commence today at the historic Lord's Cricket Stadium in England. Notably absent from the squad are pacer Scott Boland and emerging batting talent Sam Konstas, both of whom had impressive performances against India, particularly Konstas, who gained attention for his spirited exchanges with Jasprit Bumrah.

Captain's Insights on Player Exclusions

During a pre-match press briefing, the Australian captain addressed the absence of these players. Boland, typically seen as a backup for Josh Hazlewood, finds himself sidelined once more with Hazlewood's return. Cummins emphasized the importance of managing fast bowlers to prolong their careers, reassuring that this setback does not signify the end for Boland. He stated,

“There are some guys where you genuinely say you know you've done nothing wrong, don't change a thing. And Scottie's is just really unfortunate to miss out. Joshie Hazel comes back in, we know how good he is, but I think the message to Scottie is there's a lot of Test cricket coming up in the next couple of years and just because you're mid-30s doesn't mean, you know, you're missing this test and that's one test off your career."

The 36-year-old Boland, who made his debut in 2021, has played only 13 Tests, claiming 56 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 2.77.

Selectors' Decision on Konstas

Regarding Konstas's omission from the playing eleven, Cummins indicated that the selectors would determine his future opportunities. He noted that at a young age, Konstas has plenty of time ahead of him. Cummins remarked,

"It's something the selectors are always weighing up (On Konstas getting ample opportunities). Realistically, he's really young and has a long career ahead of him. So hopefully, even if he's not playing, being in the squad is a learning opportunity. At the same time, you've got guys like Bo Webster who are just starting their Test careers."

With Marnus Labuschagne returning to the squad, Konstas has been left out. Cummins also mentioned Cameron Green's return, highlighting that Josh Inglis still has opportunities, making it a positive challenge to have multiple players vying for Test spots.