Cricket South Africa and Cricket Australia on Tuesday announced their respective 15-member squads for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, scheduled to begin on June 11 at Lord’s.
South Africa, making their first appearance in a WTC Final, finished the cycle at the top of the standings with a points percentage of 69.44.
Temba Bavuma will captain the side, which includes the return of fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who missed the recent home season due to a groin injury.
Ngidi replaces Kwena Maphaka in the squad, while batter Matthew Breetzke has also been left out.
The batting unit features Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, and Tristan Stubbs, with Kyle Verreynne taking wicketkeeping duties.
The bowling attack comprises Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, and Dane Paterson, supported by spinners Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy.
South Africa’s WTC campaign included eight wins in 12 Tests, with series victories over West Indies (1-0), Bangladesh (2-0), Sri Lanka (2-0), and Pakistan (2-0).
Australia, the defending WTC champions, also confirmed their squad, which includes the return of Cameron Green, who has recovered from a back injury. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood also return after missing the 2025 Champions Trophy due to injury.
Hazlewood was recently active in the Indian Premier League but missed Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s last match due to a shoulder concern.
Brendan Doggett, who was named Player of the Match in the Sheffield Shield final, has been added as the only travelling reserve.
The squad remains largely unchanged from the group that defeated India (3-1) and Sri Lanka (2-0) during the WTC cycle. Australia will aim to become the first team to win back-to-back WTC titles.
South Africa Squad:
Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson
Australia Squad:
Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
Travelling Reserve: Brendan Doggett
The WTC Final will begin on June 11, 2025, at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London.
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