Labuschagne to open for Australia in WTC final against South Africa
Marnus Labuschagne will open the batting for the first time in his Test career in the World Test Championship final against South Africa.
The South African-born batsman will partner Usman Khawaja, while Cameron Green returns at number three following back surgery.
Josh Hazlewood is also picked ahead of Scott Boland in the bowling line-up.
For more cricket news, visit our dedicated section.
Marnus Labuschagne will fill Australia's problem position of opening batsman in the World Test Championship final against South Africa, captain Pat Cummins announced on Tuesday.
Reigning champions Australia have struggled to plug the hole at the top of their order left by the retirement of David Warner 17 months ago.
READ | Proteas done with talk - at Lord's, bat and ball will answer all
Steve Smith was promoted but only lasted four Tests before dropping back down to four and giving Nathan McSweeney a chance.
McSweeney struggled against India late last year, with teenager Sam Konstas thrust into the side during the home series.
He scored a blazing 60 on debut, but was less effective in the next Test and was jettisoned in favour of Travis Head for Australia's tour of Sri Lanka.
But with Head reverting to five, Labuschagne, best known as a number three, has been promoted to open for the first time in his Test career.
The 30-year-old, who has not scored a Test century for nearly two years, will form a first-wicket partnership with Queensland teammate Usman Khawaja, while the fit-again Cameron Green returns at number three following back surgery.
'Cam Green, the last few weeks, he's had coming back in great form, we thought he deserves a spot somewhere in the batting line-up,' Cummins said on the eve of the final.
'We thought three probably suits him best.
'And then with Marnus moving, we thought it's one spot up, it's not too different to batting at three. He's done well here in England in the past.'
'Unfortunate' Boland
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been selected ahead of Scott Boland, with all-rounder Beau Webster included to provide back-up overs given Green is still not fit to bowl.
Boland took 10 wickets in his last Test as Australia defeated India in Sydney to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and secure a spot in the WTC final.
But he has never played at Lord's, where Hazlewood, only recently returned from a shoulder problem in the Indian Premier League, has taken 13 wickets in three Tests.
'There are some guys where you genuinely say, you've done nothing wrong, don't change a thing and that's Scotty,' said fellow paceman Cummins. 'He is just really unfortunate to miss out.'
The match, starting on Wednesday, is only the third WTC final but Cummins said: 'It's a trophy we've spoken a lot about over the last couple of years.'
'Test cricket is my favourite format,' added the skipper, who also led Australia to 50-over World Cup glory in 2023.
'You've got to basically win in all different conditions to make it into this final. If we can retain that mace, that's a pretty awesome thing for this team.'
Teams:
Australia
Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa
Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Euro 2025: Spain team guide – have things finally settled for the World Cup winners?
The 2022 European Championship sparked a crisis in Spanish football. The team went to their debut Euros with certain expectations, including a hope of winning their first competition or, at least, going far. But they were eliminated in the first round of the knockout stages by England in extra time. It proved to be the last straw for many players. Advertisement The reckoning was less about losing to England — the eventual winners — and more about Spain's best generation of footballers being let down by a coach who could not help them in certain matches. While off the field, the players felt that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) did not support them enough or provide them with the professional tools that other countries had. It sparked the 'Las 15' movement, with 15 players refusing to return to play for the RFEF until conditions changed. Only three of the 15 played in the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which Spain won. That final was marred by the non-consensual kiss from Luis Rubiales to Jennifer Hermoso during the celebrations. It also ended with the dismissal of the then-coach, Jorge Vilda, along with Rubiales. Who is the manager? Montse Tome was Vilda's assistant coach and, following his dismissal, she was appointed head coach in September 2023. Her first roster was limited by players protesting Rubiales' non-consensual kiss. Advertisement At her first press conference, ahead of the UEFA Nations League qualifiers against Sweden and Switzerland in September 2023, Tome said she had spoken to all of the players who had declared themselves ineligible as a group. But the players said they had not spoken to the coach. As a result, RFEF and the team's captains met for a long meeting that lasted until the early hours of the morning. The result was a restructuring of the federation. Over time, tensions have settled, but Tome is a coach that many still see as part of Vilda's staff. Despite her saying 'I am not Jorge Vilda' on several occasions, Tome has not managed to fully win the trust of the dressing room and her future with the team after the Euros is uncertain. How do they play? Spain play in a style very similar to Barcelona. In a 4-3-3 formation, they want to dominate the ball, be offensive through possession and position, and get a lot out of their midfield while playing out of defence. Advertisement In terms of selection, the defence and midfield are set, with perhaps the only question mark being whether Olga Carmona or Leila Ouahabi will play at left-back. Up front, there is an excess of attacking options. Mariona Caldentey has been playing as a right-winger, Esther Gonzalez has returned to the national team in fine form, having scored four goals in the last three games, and Real Madrid's Athenea del Castillo is also in the mix. Another big question is whether Salma Paralluelo or Claudia Pina will play on the left wing, as both have been selected in the squad. Pina has had a great season, but Spain seem to prefer her as a substitute. Who are their most influential players? The midfield trio of Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas is the key to Barcelona's — and Spain's — success. Mariona Caldentey, of Arsenal, provides a bonus to this setup. Advertisement Caldentey was the Women's Super League (WSL) player of the season and won the Champions League with Arsenal, playing a key role in the final win over Barcelona, her third consecutive Champions League title. Although it is not her ideal position, Tome plays Caldentey as a right-winger. Guijarro has returned to defensive midfield after two years playing in the attack, and this is where she shines most. The 27-year-old organises the team, provides balance between attack and defence, and is the compass for her side. Bonmati was considered one of the top players in the Champions League, but she did not have her best season in Liga F. The 27-year-old still has the ability to shine in big games and is the one who sets the tempo for the team. Putellas is back to form after an ACL injury suffered the day before the start of Euro 2022, which prevented her from performing at her prime in the World Cup and the following season. This season in Liga F, she has been Barcelona's top assist provider and second-highest goalscorer behind Ewa Pajor. The 31-year-old gives the team vision and is a player who tends to make good, quick decisions. What is their biggest strength? An ability to link up well. The World Cup winners know how to play an attacking and entertaining style of football thanks to the talent of one of the best generations of players the national team has ever had. Advertisement It also helps that the core of the team is made up of Barcelona players, who are used to playing together. What weakness might other teams be able to exploit? Teams that sit back in a defensive block are Spain's biggest weakness. Due to their attacking style of play, they can leave themselves exposed at the back and can be hurt by quick counter-attacks. Any notable absences? Jennifer Hermoso and Misa Rodriguez. Both were singled out by Tome for what she considered to be bad behaviour that did not help the team after the Olympic Games, where the team failed to collect a medal. What is their strongest starting XI? How have they performed over the past 12 months? The last Olympic Games were the first time Spain's women had played in the Games, and they were left disappointed. Advertisement The players expected the organisation to be on a par with the European Championship or the World Cup, but what they found surprised them. The players felt far removed from what the Olympic Games were about, spending little time in the athletes' village. 'Did I take anything away from the Olympics? The shirt, nothing else,' Caldentey explained in her book, released earlier this year. On a sporting level, it didn't end as they had hoped either. They started as favourites, but Brazil beat them 4-2 in the semi-finals. They then lost 1-0 to Germany in the bronze medal match. After the Olympics, Spain drew with Italy and Canada (both 1-1). Since then, they have scored 30 goals in eight games and conceded 10. They collected seven wins and only one defeat (1-0 at Wembley against England in February). Advertisement They beat the Lionesses 2-1 in their last game in Barcelona, which gives them confidence for what lies ahead. What are they expected to achieve at these Euros? Spain and England have been locked in a battle since Euro 2022, and if the two teams meet in the knockouts, it could be quite the rematch. The fact that Spain won the last match in Barcelona, which qualified them for the Nations League semi-final, gives them a boost of confidence. But the memory of the match played at Wembley remains fresh in their minds, as does the fact they have always found it difficult to beat the Lionesses. The group they have been drawn into is manageable: Portugal, Belgium and Italy. They faced the first two opponents in the first phase of the Nations League, beating Portugal 7-1 and 4-2 over two matches. They beat Belgium 5-1 and 3-2 over their two fixtures. In October, they drew 1-1 with Italy, the only opponent who could complicate things. Advertisement Many are focusing on the semi-finals, where they could face England, though the teams from northern Europe also command a certain amount of respect. Did you know? In Spain's last starting 11 against England in the Nations League, which will likely be the one Tome will use for the Euros, nine of the 11 players were from Barcelona or had played for the club at some point. Laia Aleixandri played in the club's youth teams and Mariona Caldentey played there until last summer when she signed for Arsenal. Carmona signed with Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in June. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Spain, UK Women's Football, Women's Euros 2025 The Athletic Media Company
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Shouldn't be able to': Andrew Johns calls for NRL crackdown amid flurry of bans
Andrew Johns' anger around a third-man-in tackle from Karl Lawton has been vindicated after the Cowboys star was handed one of the most serious charges of the year. Eels pair Ryley Smith and centre Will Penisini are also both facing stints on the sidelines after being hit with dangerous throw charges from their victory over the Titans in the NRL on Sunday night. But it was Lawton's tackle on Siua Wong earlier on Sunday that left league 'Immortal' Johns fuming in commentary for Channel Nine and the Roosters forward facing up to six weeks out with a knee injury. Lawton was hit with a grade 3 dangerous contact charge for the first-half incident that forced Wong from the field after he was held upright by two defenders, before Lawton came in and collected him directly on the knee. Scans on Monday confirmed a medial ligament tear for the Roosters forward, meaning he's set to spend at least a month on the sidelines. The Cowboys forward was not even penalised for the tackle during the 42-8 loss, despite referee Ashley Klein and bunker officials having time to review the incident. Fortunately for the Roosters, five-eighth Sandon Smith was cleared of a serious knee injury after hobbling off in the second half. Siua Wong is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after suffering an MCL tear in Round 16 (via @ScottBaileyAAP).Likely moderate grade MCL sprain (partial ligament tear) with that recovery better news for the Roosters - scans have cleared Sandon Smith of any injury. — NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 23, 2025 But the tackle on Wong left Johns fuming in commentary, with the league legend insisting the game needs to do more to stamp out third-man-in tackles that put the ball-carrier at risk. "It's dangerous, I hate it," Johns said. "If you have two players in the tackle, and momentum is pretty much (stopped), that third man shouldn't be able to go in like that. "A couple of years ago we saw Liam Knight get hit from behind and it pretty much destroyed every ligament in his knee. The player cannot see it coming. And what's come into the game is they back into the tackle so they can see the third man coming in and spearing at the knee. "And what's happened with that happening is we have crushers coming into the game, because of players turning and twisting looking for that third man." Lawton's charge is only the second grade-three for any offence this season, after Dolphins veteran Felise Kaufusi copped the same punishment for dangerous contact on Cowboy Tom Duffy last week. Only Manly prop Tof Sipley has been given a higher grading this season after being referred straight to the NRL judiciary for a hip-drop tackle that injured St George Illawarra's Mat Feagai in April. Lawton's clean record means he can accept a two-match ban with an early plea or risk a third game on the sidelines if he elects to fight the grading. RELATED: Roosters make call on DCE as pressure mounts for club to backflip Queensland Origin twist after ugly scenes for Walsh and Hammer Blow for Titans and Queensland after Origin hopeful ruled out Parramatta have also been dealt a double blow after Sunday night's 36-20 win over the Titans, with Eels hooker Smith and centre Penisini facing multiple games out after copping dangerous throw charges. Penisini's lifting tackle on Beau Fermor was the worst of the two and he's facing a three-week suspension for the 78th minute incident that saw the Gold Coast player land dangerously on his head. The Eels centre was sin-binned for the tackle and faces an extra week on the sidelines than his Parramatta teammate, due to his prior record. Smith's lifting tackle on Phillip Sami was more innocuous but still ultimately dangerous for the Titans player, with the Eels hooker facing two games out unless he decides to fight the charge. with agencies
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘A great of Australian sport': how Minjee Lee rose to top in a golden era of women's golf
The finest triumph for Australia's highest-paid sportswoman was accompanied by something unusual. For the usually private, impassive Minjee Lee – after winning her third major at the Women's PGA Championship near her second home in Dallas, Texas – tears were a glimpse into her recent pain. Related: Australia's Minjee Lee wins historic third major at Women's PGA Championship Advertisement A 19-month winless run. A collapse at last year's US Open. An adoption of the broomstick putter, a very public symbol that everything was not right. But those experiences were consigned to the past after sinking a par putt on 18 in Frisco. 'It's very different, because I feel like I had a lot of doubt the past few years,' she said. 'I think this one just means a little bit more to me.' The West Australian won by three strokes to earn $2.8m and become only the third Australian golfer to claim three different major championships, after Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson. Even Greg Norman only found major success at a single tournament, the Open Championship, in his two victories. Lee's coach Ritchie Smith said it can be difficult to comprehend just how much Lee has achieved. 'It's a golden era for women's golf, and she's still a great,' he said. 'It's hard for me to say, because I'm her coach and I'm biased. I don't think she's just a great of golf, I think she's a great of Australian sport.' The likes of Ash Barty, Sam Kerr, Lauren Jackson, Ellyse Perry and Stephanie Gilmore have been recognised as Australia's most successful female sportspeople in the past decade, all as standard bearers in globally competitive sports. But while Lee had risen to become the second-ranked golfer in the world by 2019, her profile – at least in Australia – was not at the same level as her peers. Outside the men's majors, golf does not have the same cut-through or broad appeal as other codes, and when it does reach a broader Australian consciousness, it is usually thanks to the achievements of PGA stars such as Adam Scott or 2022 Open Championship winner Cameron Smith. Lee's softly-spoken manner and reserved demeanour is also less than a natural fit with publicity. Advertisement Her profile has even been challenged by her younger brother Min Woo, now Australia's top-ranked men's golfer. He has emerged as a legitimate star on the men's PGA Tour over the past two years, with a brash social media status enhanced by a stream of celebrity colabs. But over 11 years on the LPGA tour, Minjee's winnings still dwarf the prize money won by her brother, and are approaching US$20m. Even if the younger Lee passes that figure, he almost certainly will not end his career with anything near the list of her accomplishments. Minjee Lee is only the fifth active player to have won three majors alongside Lydia Ko, Yani Tseng, In Gee Chun and Anna Nordqvist, and only Ko is younger. The Australian knows she should have had another too, after she led by three shots in the final round of last year's US Open before she 'blew up' – as she described afterwards – to finish ninth. Across Lee's many years as a professional, Smith has observed how she handles defeat less with disappointment and more with embarrassment, and the US Open result was about as bad as it could get. On the sport's highest stage, there was Lee, fully exposed. 'To capitulate the way that she did last year, it had a really negative effect on her,' Smith said. 'So to reinvest into actually being in a vulnerable position like that, it takes a long time, and this is what people don't understand. 'She's risked being vulnerable in front of a whole heap of people, and I couldn't be prouder of her to be honest, because that's a scary proposition.' Advertisement Lee was asked by the host in the trophy ceremony whether she now wishes she had adopted the longer putter 'a little bit earlier'. She laughed and said 'no'. It was an acknowledgement of the importance of her recent adversity. Rather than just biomechanics, Smith said Lee has undergone psychological change. 'She's been so guarded and stoic for her whole career,' he said. 'And now, if you have a look at her, her interview at the end of the round, there were actual emotions, she shed a tear – which is probably the first time she's ever done that.' Smith believes the process means Lee can now be happier in the sport. 'All of her 'being' revolved around being a really great golfer, but when you emotionally disengage a little bit, then all of a sudden you can be the person that you want to be. And I don't know if you notice, but she smiles a lot more now.' Lee admits the criticism affected her. 'The more I heard, like the media and other people saying things about my putting, I think it got to me more and more over time.' Yet that difficult period is now over. A major winner again, Lee said this week's triumph – highlighted by a champagne shower on the 18th green delivered by those familiar with her struggles – was 'my most deserved'.
