WTC 2025 Showdown: Australia and South Africa Announce Squads for Upcoming Series

• Pat Cummins (C)
• Scott Boland
• Alex Carey
• Cameron Green
• Josh Hazlewood
• Travis Head
• Josh Inglis
• Usman Khawaja
• Sam Konstas
• Matt Kuhnemann
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Nathan Lyon
• Steve Smith (VC)
• Mitchell Starc
• Beau Webster

Pat Cummins of Australia//Getty Images

The Baggy Greens have centred their team on a core of experienced players, with Pat Cummins (Captain: Australia) entering as a standout player for Sunrisers Hyderabad despite their poor form.

Josh Hazlewood also enjoyed a hot streak in the Indian Premier League, positioned as one of the top wicket-takers before the rescheduling of the tournament saw him opt out.

Starc, despite a less impressive season for Delhi Capitals, was still among the top 20 IPL bowlers this season and has the experience to make it count.

These superstars will be well supported by the veterancy of vice-captain Steve Smith, spinner Nathan Lyon, top-order batsman Usman Khawaja, destructive opener Travis Head, and fellow opener Marnus Labuschagne.

On the other side of the scale are emerging talents like Sam Konstas and Beau Webster, who have been included in Australia’s WTC squad to provide a youthful dynamic. Konstas is 19 years old but has clearly impressed the selectors as a top-order batsman, while Webster has experience as an all-rounder and could be called on as an extra spin option.

Behind the stumps, the Aussies have two options: Alex Carey and Josh Inglis, with the latter likely to be started due to his rise as a specialist batsman in the longest format.

Travis Head of Australia raises his bat after scoring a century//Getty Images

Rabada, back in the Proteas set-up after serving a one-month ban by the ICC, has earned his stripes as one of the top Test bowlers in the world, currently #2 on the list.

Before his sanctioning for a doping violation, the pace man claimed three five-wicket hauls during the current WTC cycle to help his team reach the final.

On the opposite side is Travis Head, who has been in blistering domestic form and country, and is among the top 10 Test batsmen, currently ranked #8.

The opener has proven himself a shrewd and calculating player, able to drive the scoring rate up but also showing the temperament needed to keep himself at the crease for long spells.

Head has reached three centuries in the current WTC cycle and, unsurprisingly, has featured for Australia in every Test match since their Ashes series against England in June 2023.

Hazlewood will enter the WTC final in superb form, having excelled for his domestic IPL franchise and being consistently called on to break up partnerships and slow opposition scoring in Test matches.

While his fitness remains a persistent concern, he is currently in the top five ICC-ranked bowlers in the format and would be expected to showcase his accuracy and bounce against the South African danger men.

This is certain to set him on a direct path to Aiden Markram, who brings experience and a leadership dynamic to the Proteas’ top-order.

As a former national captain, he has not been as consistent for his country but has delivered numerous strong performances for South Africa during the WTC cycle, including 89 runs against Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test (December 26 to 30, 2024) and 106 against India in their series in January 2024.