‘Rewarding guys who got us here’: Marnus call explained as Aussie WTC final XI named

Australian captain Pat Cummins has backed Marnus Labuschagne to repay the faith of selectors in the World Test Championship final against South Africa beginning at Lord’s on Wednesday.

The Queenslander was confirmed as Australia’s new opener despite struggling for form since arriving in England for a stint of County Cricket, while Josh Hazlewood was preferred over Scott Boland. Cameron Green returns, as expected, after starring in County cricket, while Beau Webster will play.

On the eve of the decider at Lord’s, the champion fast bowler said loyalty played a part in the decision to select Labuschagne ahead of teenage sensation Sam Konstas, with selectors valuing a broader contribution over the two-year cycle of the championship.

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“I think it’s part of the factor. He is a somewhat known quantity (and) our selectors are probably showing that they’re happy to … give someone an extra little run rather than pull the pin too early,” he said.

“Marns, again, he’s played some crucial knocks in getting us here. You look back to the MCG (against India) and his batting was right up there as a difference in that match. So, yeah, I think it’s partly (about) rewarding those guys who got us here.”

Quizzed as to whether the decision to persevere with Labuschange over Konstas could prove detrimental longer term, Cummins said the young opener was still gaining valuable experience.

“It’s something that the selectors are always weighing up,” Cummins said.

“Realistically, he’s really young. He’s got a long career ahead of him. So hopefully even by not playing, (by) being in Sri Lanka and here, they’re learning opportunities.

“But at the same time, you’ve got guys like Beau Webster, who are starting out their test career as well. Obviously, Cam Green comes back in here. Josh Inglis got a chance to start his Test career as well.

“So I think it’s a good problem that we have three or four guys who are all right on the fringe of, on the cusp, of getting a good run in Test cricket.”

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A far harder decision, Cummins said, was telling Boland he would not be required, with Hazlewood replacing the Victorian star after excelling through the recent Indian Premier League.

“There are some guys where you genuinely say, you know, ‘You’ve done nothing wrong. Don’t change a thing.’ And that is Scotty. He is just really unfortunate to miss out,” Cummins said.

“Joshy Hazel comes back in and we know how good he is. But I think the message to Scotty is that there’s a lot of Test cricket coming up over the next couple of years and just because you’re in your mid 30s doesn’t mean you’re missing this Test and that’s one Test off your career.

“I think by having a squad of fast bowlers, hopefully we can extend all our careers for an extra couple of years. It is really unfortunate Scotty misses this but the message to him is, ‘Don’t feel like you’re running out of time.’ He’s still got lots of time, hopefully, in his career.”

Including Webster, who has excelled in his three Tests to date, gives Australia a fifth bowling option if needed, with the Tasmanian capable of producing both seam and off-spinners if required.

While Steve Smith said on Monday he expects the Lord’s wicket to take spin the longer the final progresses, Cummins said Webster could prove a handy option for several reasons.

“It seems hard to know here at Lord’s. You either don’t need a fifth bowler or you really need one. Some of the innings are either short or long. There’s almost nothing in between,” he said.

“But I think you saw in Sydney with those seaming conditions, he was really effective. And he takes some key breakthroughs (and) can also hold up an end. I think these conditions will suit him well.

“He’s done brilliantly with the bat as well, you know, in the three Test matches he’s played so far, but I think his bowling will be crucial.”

South Africa also revealed their playing eleven on Tuesday, with captain Temba Bavuma opting to play four bowlers in their side with Dane Paterson the unlucky quick to miss out at selection. The 36-year-old veteran took six wickets in his most recent Test against Pakistan on Boxing Day, and has a bowling average of 26.24 from his seven red-ball matches at the top level.

Lungi Ngidi returns for his first Test since August of last year, having missed the entire 2024/25 summer with a groin injury.

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When Australia last played at Lord’s, they were forced to bowl without Nathan Lyon in England’s second innings after the champion off-spinner tore a calf muscle.

Cummins winced when that was raised, but said he believes the New South Welshman can have a significant impact as the Test progresses.

“I think it just looks like a really good wicket. Lord’s can spin, maybe late on day three and into days four and five,” he said.

“Again, it’s one of those wickets where it can look like a good wicket, but then the clouds come over and it looks a little bit livelier, whatever the word is. So it’s hard to know. But traditionally, I think spin does play a role here at Lord’s.”

While Australia was a dominant winner over South Africa in their last tour over the summer of 2022/23, Cummins is mindful the Proteas possess a superb bowling attack and some fresh faces.

He said the variables of playing at a neutral venue with the Duke ball, instead of the Kookaburra, ensured there was some uncertainty ahead of the Test.

But Australia has performed well at Lord’s in the past, including the contentious victory in 2023 when Alex Carey was able to stump Jonny Bairstow, which sparked a furore in the MCC Members.

“I think there’s a few unknowns. (There is) the personnel. We’ve probably played about half of the guys before, but half we haven’t played. In red ball cricket, throw in the Duke ball, the neutral ground, there’s a few more unknowns going into the Test match, which is exciting.

“I think we are going to have to problem solve on our feet a bit more. No doubt their bowlers, we have seen a little bit of and there’s a couple of big wicket takers there. (Kagiso) Rabada and (Keshav) Maharaj have been around for a fair while now and been successful, so they’re an obvious threat.

“But … some of those younger or newer guys in the team that we haven’t seen before, we’re going to have to be pretty sharp on this.”

And as for the reception from the crowd? While Australia is certain to receive significant support from expats living in the United Kingdom, Cummins has no doubt the Proteas will receive English backing.

He quipped that “maybe no crowds help” when saying it was great to return to Lord’s prior to the Test for training, but said Australia’s good record had helped the team settle in well.

“I’m sure there’ll be lots of Aussies out there, lots of South African fans as well, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the English have a few supporting South Africa as well,” he said.

The first ball of the World Test Championship Final is at 7:30pm AEST time, with the match being played at Lord’s in London, England.

Australia XI: Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi

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