The second edition of the World Test Championship final between India and Australia is set to start on 7 June at the Oval in England. This would be India’s second consecutive final in the WTC after losing to New Zealand in the first edition in 2021.
Meanwhile, Australia has announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming WTC final.
Hard-hitting opener David Warner has been included in the team despite his recent poor performance in red-ball cricket.
Pat Cummins will lead the side after leaving the tour of India for some family reasons, and Steve Smith took over as captain in the third and fourth Test matches.
The selected players will be available for the WTC final against India and the opening two Ashes Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s.
The Australian selectors will evaluate the players’ performances after the two Ashes Tests to determine whether to make any changes in the remaining Test matches against England to be played at Headingley, Old Trafford, and the Oval.
Selectors have shown faith in Harris and included him in the squad. His place was taken by opener Usman Khawaja.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been included in the touring party for the first time since the 2019 Ashes series in England as backup to Cameron Green, while uncapped English-born wicketkeeper Josh Inglis is also included in the side.
The World Test Championship final is the culmination of more than two years of consistent performance at the Test level by the team.
Pitches in England generally suit fast and swing bowlers, so the inclusion of off-spinner Todd Murphy in the team is surprising. He is surely going to be a backup to veteran spinner Nathan Lyon after performing decently in his first four Tests in India.
Squad:
Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and David Warner