WTC Final: Cummins to Lead Australia Against South Africa

New Delhi: Defending champions of the World Test Championship (WTC), Australia, named their squad to face South Africa in the WTC finals next month at Lord’s, as per a release from Cricket Australia. Cameron Green’s return to the Test squad after back surgery has been confirmed, with spinner Matt Kuhnemann also included, as Australia revealed their squad for their WTC defence and subsequent Caribbean tour on Tuesday. Sheffield Shield player of the final, Brendan Doggett, has been named a travelling reserve for the 15-player squad, which otherwise features no major surprises from outside the group that beat Sri Lanka 2-0 and India 3-1 last summer.

Pat Cummins’ side is seeking to become the first nation to win multiple WTC finals when it faces South Africa at Lord’s from June 11. Cummins and Hazlewood have overcome injuries that kept them out of the Sri Lanka tour and the Champions Trophy earlier in the year, with both returning to action via the Indian Premier League.

Australia won four of its six series to clinch a spot in its second straight WTC final.

South Africa topped the standings with eight wins from 12 Tests for a points percentage of 69.44, while Australia’s was 67.54 with 13 wins from 19 matches.

“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,” selection chair George Bailey said. “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.” Australia squad for WTC final: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett. (ANI)anked opponents. (IANS)

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