WTC ultimate guide: Cummins reveals starting XI, duo miss out

• WTC starts 7:30pm AEST Wed June 11
• LISTEN LIVE HERE
• Marnus will open
• Konstas and Boland miss out

Marnus Labuschagne will open for Australia in the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s with teenage sensation Sam Konstas missing out.

Australia captain Pat Cummins confirmed his XI to face South Africa with Labuschagne to open alongside Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green to return at No.3 while Josh Hazlewood was given the nod over Scott Boland.

Experience has been valued for the “grand final” one-off Test which gets underway tonight in England (8pm AEST), according to Cummins who spoke exclusively for SEN’s The New Ball.

“It’s big,” he said of the clash. “It’s been a long time in the making.

“We went with Marnus (to open), he’s a good fit for opening and he’s got the experience.

“I think Cam Green was an obvious one to come back in and then you reassess the batting from there. He’s played a bit here in England and had some success and he’s helped us get to the Final.

“Cam’s been looking awesome, really sharp. He says that year off has freshened him up we know how cooked he was. He’s set up for a big one.”

Beau Webster also comes into the side in what will be the biggest match of his career.

“He’s doing similarly to what he’s done for Tasmania,” Cummins added. “He adds value, scores handy runs and takes some catches.

“He always gets himself into the game. He’s not just someone to make up the numbers.” Tagged as underdogs, South Africa welcomed news of Labuschagne’s promotion.

“Yeah I think there is an opportunity there,” captain Temba Bavuma said. “I think the conditions also bring us into the game a lot with the swinging ball.

“It’s very different to Australian conditions. Different to South African conditions as well. That definitely gives us an opportunity.

“I think both teams have formidable bowling attacks. I think the real opportunity is within the two batting line-ups and how they are able to kind of front up and give their bowlers a score to bowl at.”

Australia's XI
Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

The WTC gets underway this Wednesday, June 11 from 8 pm AEST and SEN will be streaming the entire Test.