Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has revealed the Playing XI that he thinks Aussies will put on the field in the all-important World Test Championship Final against South Africa. Branded as the 'Ultimate Test', the final of the WTC 2023-25 will take place between Australia and South Africa from July 11 to July 15 at the Lord's in London.
Australia are the top-ranked Test side currently and in their most recent outing they had beaten India 3-1 in a Test series at home. They have a settled Playing XI except that one slot on which they have not been able to zero in on yet.
Sam Konstas became one of the youngest debutant in Australia's storied Test history when he made his debut against India late last year on the Boxing Day Test match. However, Ponting belives Konstas would not feature in the Playing XI and Cameron Green will replace him. Not as an opener though.
"I have just got a bit of a feeling that Marnus Labuschagne might be pushed up the order to open the batting with Khawaja," Ponting told ICC.
"I think Green will bat at three and Steve Smith will be at four.
"Then it's Travis Head five, Beau Webster six, Carey at seven, Cummins eight, Starc nine and Lyon 10.
"And the one that everyone talks about the last couple of years is the whole Hazlewood (versus) Boland one. It's a really tough selection every time because every time Boland plays, he just does so well. But unfortunately, if Hazlewood is fit, I think Hazlewood comes straight back into the team."
Ricky Ponting's Australia XI for World Test Championship Final
1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood.
Josh Inglis, who has been in terrific form with the Ponting-coached Punjab Kings in the IPL, could not find a place in his XI.
Australia are the defending champions of the WTC having beaten India in the final of the last edition in 2023.
