Rising star Sam Konstas has been named in Australia’s squad for next month’s World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s, with selectors opting for continuity while adding depth in key areas. The 19-year-old opener joins a largely settled 16-man group that will also travel to the Caribbean for a three-Test series in June and July.
Konstas, who was part of the touring party to Sri Lanka earlier this year but did not feature in either Test, will now embark on his maiden tour of England. He is expected to resume his push for a spot at the top of the order alongside veteran Usman Khawaja.
Also returning to the side are Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green—reuniting Australia’s frontline pace and all-round options at a crucial time. Cummins, who missed the Sri Lanka tour for the birth of his second child, will resume captaincy duties.
Hazlewood has been managing a minor shoulder concern but is not in doubt for the WTC final, which will see Australia attempt to defend the title they won in 2023 against India. Green, meanwhile, is expected to compete with Tasmania’s Beau Webster for an all-rounder’s spot in the playing XI, depending on conditions at Lord’s.
Selectors have also included Matt Kuhnemann as a second spin option, while South Australian quick Brendan Doggett joins as a travelling reserve after a strong domestic season that saw him claim 33 wickets at 24.15 in the Sheffield Shield.
As previously reported, selectors are contemplating a bold move by opening with Marnus Labuschagne in the one-off WTC final, potentially reshuffling the batting order to best suit English conditions.
Australia’s WTC Final & West Indies Tour Squad:
- Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith CC) (captain)
- Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula CC)
- Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg CC)
- Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat CC)
- Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George CC)
- Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully CC)
- Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup CC)
- Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District CC)
- Sam Konstas (NSW/Sutherland District CC)
- Matt Kuhnemann (TAS/Clarence CC)
- Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands CC)
- Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District CC)
- Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland CC)
- Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah CC)
- Beau Webster (TAS/Kingborough CC)
- Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett (SA/Glenelg CC)
There was no room in the squad for Nathan McSweeney or Sean Abbott, despite both players having featured in the wider Test conversation over the past 12 months.
Chair of selectors George Bailey welcomed the return of key personnel at a critical time.
“We’re fortunate to have Pat, Josh and Cam back in the squad,” Bailey said. “The team ended the WTC cycle with a strong series win in Sri Lanka, following a successful summer against India. Now we have the exciting opportunity to defend the Championship.”
Australia last faced South Africa in a home series during the 2022–23 summer, which they won 2–0. They will be looking to replicate that dominance at Lord’s, before shifting focus to the Caribbean leg of the tour.
The WTC final will be held at Lord’s in June, where Australia will aim to become back-to-back champions, having won the previous final at The Oval thanks to centuries from Steve Smith (121) and Travis Head (163).
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