The Australia National Cricket Team will face the South Africa National Cricket Team in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 (WTC 2023-25) final at Lords in June. The defending champions are currently on a tour of Sri Lanka, where they are playing their final Test assignment before the WTC final.
The Kangaroos tried out a couple of fresh faces at the top of the batting order during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, but only Sam Konstas managed to impress the selectors. Konstas had a stellar debut against India, and he went on to win the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award.
Sam Konstas likely to return as an opener for WTC Final 2025
Despite his stunning start to his international career, Sam Konstas was dropped from Australia’s XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka, as they went with their tested and tried Travis Head as an opener, whom they preferred in the subcontinent conditions since David Warner’s retirement.
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In a bold move, the Australian selectors opted for Travis Head to open alongside Usman Khawaja in Galle. The decision paid off, as Head smashed a blistering 57 off 40 balls, setting the tone for Australia’s commanding total of 654/6—their highest total in Asia.
Additionally, Australia’s batting depth has further complicated things, as Josh Inglis also made an electrifying debut in Galle, while Beau Webster also impressed one and all with his performance against India. On the other hand, Cameron Green is on track to return as a specialist batter after recovering from back surgery, adding more challenges to the already stacked lineup.
Most likely I’d go back in the middle order and Sam would open: Travis Head
Given that, Australian selectors have now found themselves in a daunting selection dilemma ahead of the WTC 2025 Final against South Africa at Lord’s. However, Travis Head has backed Sam Konstas to reclaim his opening spot in the Australian playing XI for the summit clash against the Proteas side.
Travis Head told reporters in Galle, “Most likely I’d go back in the middle order and Sam would open. But I’m glad I’m not a selector. Josh has had an amazing start; the guys are playing well, and Greeny’s going to be fit. So, it’s going to be hard to fit [them all] in. I think that’s what we want. We want an Australian cricket team that’s tough to get in.”
Read Also: Sam Konstas removed from Australia squad in the middle of Sri Lanka series
Travis Head reflects on his show as Australia opener in Galle
Speaking about his own knock in the Galle Test, Travis Head said, “It was not by design to go out and score as quickly as I did. If they present an opportunity to score, I want to score. Probably disappointing [was] the fact that the one risk I took did end up being the one [that got me] out. The percentages, I still felt like I was a chance, but I did flirt with danger and was out. But I felt like I played well; I played positively; I played what the team needed at the time.”
Notably, Australia will face Sri Lanka in the second and final Test at Galle from February 6, followed by a two-match ODI series. These ODIs are scheduled for February 12 and 14 in Colombo.
