World Test Championship final: Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne will open vs South Africa

Australia are looking to defend the title the won by beating India in the final at The Oval two years ago.

The rotating cast of openers used since Warner called time on his Test career has included Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Travis Head and Sam Konstas.

While Smith and Head are back in their usual middle-order slots, 19-year-old Konstas has been overlooked, as has Leeds-born Josh Inglis, who made a century on debut against Sri Lanka in February.

All-rounder Green has been out with a back injury and returns as a specialist batter. His presence creates a logjam in the middle-order, meaning Labuschagne is asked to move up.

The 31-year-old has been in indifferent form, having not made a Test hundred since the fourth Ashes Test of 2023.

With competition for places high, he is fighting to retain his spot for the Ashes series in Australia later this year. After the final, Australia head to the Caribbean for three Tests against West Indies.

Labuschagne has previously opened on 15 occasions in first-class cricket, but not since 2016.

“With Marnus moving, we thought it’s one spot up really. It’s not too different to batting three,” said Australia captain Pat Cummins. “Marnus has experience, he has done well here at Lord’s and in England in general.”

The bowling picture was made clear once Hazlewood, who has struggled with injuries in the recent past, proved his fitness.

The 34-year-old missed the final two years ago, but arrives in London after being part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team that won the Indian Premier League.

He joins a familiar-looking attack including fellow seamer Cummins, left-armer Mitchell Starc and off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Webster can provide support with either seam or off-spin.