Australia squad for WTC final against South Africa: Cameron Green returns after long injury layoff, Pat Cummins to lead

All-rounder Cameron Green returned to the national team after nearly 12 months out with injury, while skipper Pat Cummins and pacer Josh Hazlewood also made comebacks as Australia named a strong 15-man squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 final against South Africa next month.

Cummins and Hazlewood had missed Australia's last Test series against Sri Lanka due to injury. Green had undergone a surgery on his lower spine last year, which ruled him out for atleast six months. He had missed the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) too. 

Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland join Cummins and Hazlewood in the four-man pace attack while Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann are the two spin options in the side.

Australia will look to defend their WTC title in the one-off final at Lord's, which commences on June 11. Opener Sam Konstas, who impressed in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, was also included along with fellow all-rounder Beau Webster.

Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head and Josh Inglis are the other key batters in the squad. Brendan Doggett has been included as a travelling reserve. The same squad of 15 will then travel to Caribbean to play a three-match Test series against the West Indies, that starts on June 26.

“We are fortunate and looking forward to having Pat (Cummins), Josh (Hazlewood) and Cam (Green) back in the squad," Cricket Australia chief selector George Bailey said in a statement. “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."

Australia squad for WTC 2023-25 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 (vc), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett