Hazlewood In; Smith At 4, No Sam Konstas: Australia's Probable XI For WTC Final Vs SA

Smith and Hazlewood will play a key role for AUS [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]

The Australian cricket team is set to cross swords against South Africa in the much-awaited World Test Championship final. The high-octane face-off will be played at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London. 

Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, Australia qualified for the ultimate showdown after crushing India by 3-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on home soil. Although they have prior experience of playing and winning a WTC final, the Australians can't take South Africa lightly, considering the latter have a formidable lineup in red-ball cricket. 

Ahead of the all-important fixture, let's analyse and find out how the Australians could line themselves up for the mega encounter. 

No Sam Konstas; Labuschagne, Green To Bat At Top Order

• Since David Warner's retirement, Australia have been searching for an alternative to open the batting with Usman Khawaja in Test cricket. Although they have Sam Konstas in their squad, the youngster might be ignored due to lack of experience. 
• A report from ESPNCricinfo recently stated that Marnus Labuschagne, despite his poor form, is a certain starter and might be asked to fill Warner's void at the top order. Labuschagne, who has mostly batted at three, can form a solid and gritty opening duo with Usman Khawaja. 
• Labuschagne could be replaced by Cameron Green at number three, with Australia looking to utilise the latter's recent County Championship success in the WTC final. Playing for Gloucestershire, Green hammered 467 runs, including three tons, across nine innings at an average of 66.71. 

Smith, Head To Form Australia's Middle Order Core With Carey, Webster

(Test Stats of Smith, Head and Carey at 4, 5 and 7 respectively)

• The legendary Steve Smith, swashbuckling Travis Head and wicketkeeper Alex Carey are automatic choices at 4, 5 and 7, respectively, having batted mostly at these positions. While Smith is the backbone of the Australian batting unit, Head can change the game with his counterattack against the old ball. 
• Alex Carey is Australia's go-to man to bat with the tail and add precious runs to the board. Meanwhile, the WTC final could formally allow three-match veteran Beau Webster to formally replace Mitchell Marsh in Test cricket. 

Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Lyon To Form Australia's Dream Attack

(Test stats of Australia's first-choice bowlers)

As far as Australia's bowling is concerned, the only question mark was about Josh Hazlewood's fitness until the fast bowler delivered 15 overs during an intense training session. Thus, as reported earlier, Hazlewood is ready to make his Test comeback in the WTC final. 

The remaining slots will obviously be filled by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, the three pillars of Australia's Test bowling in modern-day game. 

Australia's Probable Playing XI For WTC Final vs South Africa

Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

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