Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has chosen his Australian XI for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s from 11 June. Ponting has chosen Marnas Labushen for opening while surprising the team. Ponting believes that Australia will rely on its core players and instead of Scott Bolland, Josh Hazlewood has been replaced.
Australia will enter their second WTC final as the defending winner after winning India in 2023 and expect to become the first team to win the tournament twice in a row. Australia defeated India 3–1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home ground and then won the Sri Lanka 2–0 in the subcontinent and confirmed their place in the final.
However, the opening slot is still vacant after David Warner’s retirement. To make the selection problems more complex, Cameron Green is also back after being out of the field for a long time and is ready to play as expert batsmen, he has scored two centuries and a half -century in a three -match county innings with Glousster. However, Ponting believes that Marnas Labushen may play the role of opener in this final.
Ponting said, “I feel a little bit now that Marnas Labushen can be sent up to the start of batting with Khwaja. Looking at the last World Test Championship Final, there was anything discussed about David Warner and should he maintain his place. Want to give them a chance to play in that unilateral finals with the same group. “
Speaking further, Ponting said, “Labushen has gone through this cycle with the team, although batting at number 3 and I think he would like to go through this cycle with the same players, so I think I think Labushen will get approval. I agree with it or not, it is a different thing. Everything will come out in the next few weeks. Will do the fifth, Bu Webuster Sixth, Camels Eighth, Stark Ninth and Lyon, who will be talking about the last few years, Hazelwood vs. Will return to the team. “
