Rickelton To Open, Tristan Stubbs At 3; South Africa's Strongest XI For WTC Final vs Australia

Tristan Stubbs with Temba Bavuma (Source: @ProteasMenCSA/X.com)

South Africa are all set to play their first WTC final against Australia at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. It is a big achievement for a young and inexperienced South African team and a great chance to lift an ICC trophy after years of waiting.

The Proteas do have depth in their line-up with plenty of options both in the bowling and batting departments. So, they have to make some bold calls and a few deserving players might miss out from the final XI keeping in mind the conditions and the opposition. Let's now dive deeper and try to form their strongest XI for the final against Australia.

Openers

Aiden Markram And Ryan Rickelton

Aiden Markram has played the role of an opener for South Africa in the longest format with a decent amount of success. He hit one hundred and three fifties in Test cricket last year and his experience would be key to tackle the might of Australian bowlers. Also, he has an average of 60 in Tests against Australia and thus, there would be high hopes from him in the final.

Aiden Markram's Record Against Australia In Tests

His partner is likely to be Ryan Rickelton, who slammed a magnificent 259 in his last Test against Pakistan. The batter has been in great form across formats and the recent success would help him get the nod over Tony de Zorzi.

Middle Order

Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreyene

Tristan Stubbs will take the important number 3 position and has scored the majority of his 500 Test runs at that place. He has hit one century and a fifty at that crucial position and the management is likely to back him for the all-important finale. 

Temba Bavuma In Tests During 2024

The captain Temba Bavuma will be at number 4 and has been in stellar form in Test cricket and has two hundreds with three fifties in the last four matches. David Bedingham will take the other middle order position as he has been playing regularly for South Africa from the last year or so. He has made important contributions and also has the experience of playing county cricket in England.

Kyle Verreyene has scored two centuries in the last three Tests and has done that in different conditions. It shows his adaptability as a batter and the wicketkeeper batter's role will have to take the lower order along with him.

All-Rounders

Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch

Wiaan Mulder will play the role of batting all-rounder in the team. He can bat anywhere in the line-up and has shown great temperament in recent times. He also scored a century against Bangladesh in difficult conditions and could be handy with his seamers at the Lord's.

Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch are likely to be two bowling all-rounders in the side. The left-arm pacer, Marco has grown into a genuine match-winner and has 73 wickets in just 17 Tests. He has three fifties with the bat and needs to perform well if South Africa want to win the WTC final.

Corbin Bosch has played just one Test in his career but impressed straightaway with five wickets and 81 runs with the bat. Thus, he is likely to get the nod over Lungi Ngidi and Dane Paterson because of his all-round skills.

Bowlers

Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj

Kagiso Rabada will lead the bowling attack of the Proteas and has the knack of picking wickets regularly in the Test format. He has an excellent record against Australia too and would be the main weapon for South Africa with the ball in hand.

Kagiso Rabada Against Australia In Tests

Keshav Maharaj would be the only spinner in the line-up and is a class act. He has picked wickets in varied conditions and can be effective against Aussie right-handers who have struggled against spin in the past.

South Africa's Strongest XI For WTC Final Against Australia

Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreyene (WK), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj

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