Dalla patch Lean di Marnus Labuschagne, al dilemma di Green e al dibattito pre-partita del titolo Enigrum in fretta per l’Australia in finale di WTC.
On the eve of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s, Australia find themselves with a familiar but welcome headache. With a surplus of talent and a shortage of certainties, Australia can make multiple lineups to defend their Test championship title. The squad, named for both the one-off Test and the West Indies tour, leaves several spots up for debate.
1. Does Marnus Labuschagne still deserve a spot?
Marnus Labuschagne has been a fixture in the Australian Test side since 2019, but recent form has left plenty to ponder. In this WTC cycle, he’s averaged just 28.33 with no centuries since the 2023 Ashes. His scoring rate has also dipped, with just 46.4 in the past two years compared to his career strike rate of 51.94. His county stint with Glamorgan hasn’t offered much hope either: scores of 0, 4, and 23 in three innings.
With conditions at Lord’s expected to assist seam and swing, questions linger whether Labuschagne can handle the new ball against the likes of Kagiso Rabada, especially after struggles against Jasprit Bumrah during the India series.
2. Should Cameron Green take the No. 3 slot?
Cameron Green’s resurgence post-back surgery has been one of Australia’s biggest positives in 2025. Although he’s been playing as a batter only, he has looked in sublime touch in county cricket for Gloucestershire, scoring 128, 67*, 118*, and 25 in his recent outings. In nine innings, he has averaged 66.71.
Although Green cannot bowl at the WTC Final, he is a solid enough option to provide stability at number three. “I’m always going to keep bowling, but you’re so much more relaxed [with] mezzo gioco di cui preoccuparsi“Disse a ESPNCRICINFO.
“Quando fai il bowling e la battuta, c’è molto di più che devi fare dal bowling per mantenersi in forma e pronto a giocare. Toglie la battuta. Certamente, solo la battuta è bella.”
3. Chi si apre con Usman Khawaja?
Usman Khawaja rimane l’ancora in cima, ma che lo collabora rimane instabile. Travis Head è stato processato in Sri Lanka, ma non dovrebbe riprendere quel ruolo semplicemente a causa delle condizioni. Sam Konstas, che ha impressionato durante la serie India a casa, è un’opzione, ma la sua mancanza di esperienza in condizioni inglesi rappresenta un rischio.
Se i konstas sono in panchina, i lambuschagne possono salire per aprire, a mossa che è stata speculata da un po ‘di tempo ormai. Ma ciò significherebbe che l’Australia potrebbe avere due apri di difensivi. La forma di Labbuschagne non è stata anche eccezionale.
