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World Test Championship (WTC) finalist South Africa and Australia have announced their squad. The WTC Final match will be played at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground on June 11.
Ngidi back in Proteas squad
The Proteas have been strengthened by the return of Lungi Ngidi, who was out of action for most of the domestic summer season due to a back injury. Ngidi was part of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2025.
South Africa has made only two changes in its team from the last Test series against Pakistan. Ngidi has been included in place of young player Kwena Maphaka, while top order batsman Matthew Breetzke has not been included.
Proteas Men’s head coach Shukri Conrad has today announced the 15-player squad for the highly anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, taking place from 11 – 15 June at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) May 13, 2025
Temba Bavuma will lead the side, with the pace… pic.twitter.com/e76WCrd2zl
Bavuma to lead the team
Temba Bavuma will lead the team. He helped South Africa finish first in the WTC standings. The team won many games under his captaincy. He has done well as a leader.
The top-order batters include Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, and Ryan Rickelton. These players have scored runs in recent matches. They can handle tough bowling attacks.
David Bedingham and Tristan Stubbs are part of the middle-order. They are in good form. Bavuma also bats in the middle order. Kyle Verreynne will keep wickets. He is quick and can score runs fast.
Strong bowling attack
South Africa’s bowling attack is strong. Kagiso Rabada is their top pacer. He is back in the team. The fast bowler had a one-month break due to a ban. He completed a rehab program. Now, he can play again.
Lungi Ngidi joins Rabada. Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, and Dane Paterson complete the pace unit. All can bowl fast and take wickets.
Keshav Maharaj leads the spin group. Senuran Muthusamy is the second spinner. They both have good control and experience.
Cameron Green return to Australian squad
Earlier, defending champion Australia also announced its squad today for WTC Final. The Kangaroo team has almost the same members who played against India and Sri Lanka earlier this year. This same Australian team will play a three-match Test series in the West Indies starting June 25.
Cameron Green's return to the Test squad after back surgery also has been confirmed, with spinner Matt Kuhnemann also included. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood missed Australia's most recent Test series in Sri Lanka due to injury, while Green is in line to make his first Test appearance in more than 12 months after recovering from back surgery.
Big names return in Australia's squad for next month's World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord's 👊
— ICC (@ICC) May 13, 2025
More on their squad for the #WTC25 decider 👉 https://t.co/v12jK8PQ22 pic.twitter.com/1vbXm4FmRi
Australia's squad full of experience
Australia's squad is full of experience and at full strength for the Proteas' clash with Cummins joined by fellow quicks Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Hazlewood in a 15-player squad that also has two spinning options in Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann.
Meanwhile, teenager Sam Konstas is also included, with Green and fellow all-rounder Beau Webster battling it out with key batters Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head and Josh Inglis for a spot in the XI.
On the other hand, Inglis can provide support for first-choice keeper Alex Carey, while Brendan Doggett will travel with the squad as a reserve.
WTC Final | Squads
Australia
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, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
Travelling Reserve: Brendan Dogget
South Africa
Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy.