Predictable Aussies go into the WTC as favourites
Where calculated caution will be too much for a willing South Africa.
Tomorrow, in London, Australia will start firm favourites to become the first team to win back-to-back World Test Championship (WTC) titles. At the same time, their opponents, South Africa, aim to win their first ICC silverware since the 1998 Champions Trophy. The Proteas have a penchant for running second in two-horse races. I suspect that might continue.
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As is their want, Australia confidently announced their starting XI early—Lord's is the ground of the super-sub, hence the starting part!
Sam Konstas, after being jettisoned into last year's Boxing Day Test, will this time be spared the grand stage and a mouth-watering dual with Kagiso Rabada. Marnus Labuschagne moves up to open, and Cameron Green, with a closet full of county runs, bats at three. Steve Smith and the form batter of this WTC cycle, Travis Head, look ominous in the middle order for a shallow South African attack. Beau Webster plays ahead of Josh Inglis, who can consider himself unlucky after an excellent tour of Sri Lanka. Webster's bowling covers Green's inability to bowl yet.
It was here—Lord's—in 2019 that Marnus Labuschagne's Test career took hold, courtesy of soulmate Steve Smith and England's Jofra Archer. It was unfortunate for Smith—literally knocked out by an Archer thunderbolt—but fortunate for Marnus, who was subbed in and allowed to bat in Australia's second innings. Labuschagne made 59 and subsequently finished 2019 in extraordinary style with another 916 Test runs at an average of 76, including three centuries. Oh, and he started 2020 nicely also, with a double-hundred in the New Year's Test against New Zealand.
I live two suburbs over from Australian coach Andrew McDonald, so our paths cross, and Ronnie's always up for cricket chat, especially while watching the local footy. He says a lot—when he's excited—but then he doesn't say much at all. It is a real skill. Contrary to what you think at the time, Ronnie gives nothing away; he instead corrals you into his point of view. He rates Marnus, and then Marnus gives him the shits. We agreed on the gifted Queenslander being more effective when he bats to his true personality. Labuschagne is an irritation to the opposition, and it's a strength that he doesn't always use. He should. I should add that Labuschagne is an accomplished technician who's always in the contest and a terrific team player—not merely an irritation!
On the bowling side, Josh Hazlewood's inclusion at the expense of Victorian Scott Boland strengthens NSW's hold on Australia's pace cartel.
For the record, Boland's numbers are insane. From his 13 Tests, he has 56 wickets at an average of 17 and an economy rate of less than three. His strike rate is a wicket every 38 balls. In the recent home series with India, Boland took 21 wickets in three Tests, with 10 in his last Test in Sydney. Surely, Scotty Boland has to be one of the best stunt doubles in Test history. In comparison—which is foolish—Hazlewood has 279 Test wickets, and in 2024, they cost him 13 runs apiece. An embarrassment of riches that Australia have enjoyed for some time now.
Is it a fallacy? The lucky country, the prospector's backyard, the land of the gambler, the underdog turned good. Believe me, it's not true when it comes to the Australian men's cricket team. Nearly almost, they err on the side of caution. It's not that there is an absence of speculation surrounding their decision-making and options. The leadership subtly spawns this, creating a smoke screen that inevitably leads to the obvious choice. Yes, they are so bloody conservative when it comes to selection, and this week is no exception. In Australia's defence, this World Test Championship Final is a one-off game, and Pat Cummins and his merrymen are all in for the win. As is their coach, Andrew McDonald, who told me so.
I hope you are looking forward to 'cricket in July'. It's cold and wet where I am, and the Sherrin dominates. It will be a welcome respite.
