Green back in Australian squad for WTC Final

Australia has named a 15-man squad to face South Africa in the World Test Championship Final.

The big game is set to begin on June 11 at the famed Lord's Cricket Ground, with the two nations to battle it out for Test cricket's biggest trophy.

Cam Green (back) returns to the squad after last playing Test cricket in March 2024, while Pat Cummins (ankle) and Josh Hazlewood (shoulder) have also overcome recent health concerns.

Matt Kuhnemann is in the squad as backup for Nathan Lyon, while uncapped quick Brendan Doggett is a travelling reserve.

SEN Tassie Breakfast host Tim Paine said there were no surprises in the squad but didn't envy selectors task at deciding on the starting XI.

"No surprises," Paine said. "I think it was as expected. Everything was straight forward but the final 11 will be intriguing.

"If you look at the selectors over the years they like to pick who the best six batters are in the country. At this stage if Green is fit that brings him in over Konstas.

"It’s a one-off Test, a Grand Final if you like, I just think they will pick the six best and it’s Marnus and Green ahead of Konstas.

"Hazlewood for me, his numbers over a long period of time have been exceptional, Boland has always been that next man in.

"If Cummins, Starc and Hazelwood are fit they will be first choice, that is what we’ve seen over the years."

Having defeated India in the 2023 final, Australia are the current holders and victory in London will cement this side in the history books, according to Paine.

"If they win then this era of Australian cricket - particularly under Cummins captaincy - will mean they go down as one of our best sides.

"This group under Pat have shown that they perform in the big moments and the big names. This will be a huge scalp for them to pull it off again.

"I think SA at their best and their pace bowling attack, they have some guys that can bowl at very high speed and very accurately.

"They have the attack that can rip the heart out of a side quite quickly. In the right conditions they could trouble our boys."

SEN will call all of the action as well as the Test tour of the West Indies in June and July.

Australia’s 15-man Test squad for the 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