*Official* WTC FINAL Australia vs South Africa 2025

[Qlder]

Why did they pick the same squad for WTC Final and 3 Test tour of West indies. Totally different conditions.

Obviously Kuhnemann is only in for Windies while for WTC Marcus Harris and Fergus O'Neil could have been good shouts for recent experience around the squad at least (latter better than Doggett as travelling reserve)

Other than his first innings back where he had to retire hurt with cramps, Green has done absolutely nothing to justify his return btw

 

[SeamUp]

 

[SeamUp]

So only really Breetzke and Coetzee miss out. If you were hoping for Nortje I guess him too.

 

[Thala_0710]

Rickelton
Markram
Stubbs
Bavuma
Bedingham
Verreynne
Mulder
Jansen
Maharaj
Rabada
Ngidi/Paterson

 

[SeamUp]

Rickelton
Markram
Stubbs
Bavuma
Bedingham
Verreynne
Mulder
Jansen
Maharaj
Rabada
Ngidi

Pato favourite to get the nod over Ngidi.

If it was anywhere but England I think we would have seen Coetzee/Nortje/Burger in the squad. But I guess Corbin's all-round abilities have got him in.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Why did they pick the same squad for WTC Final and 3 Test tour of West indies. Totally different conditions

why wouldn't they? All players who would be picked for the WTC test XI would also be in the touring squad for the West Indies so might as well just pick the West Indies squad for both.

 

[Stefan9]

Pato favourite to get the nod over Ngidi.

If it was anywhere but England I think we would have seen Coetzee/Nortje/Burger in the squad. But I guess Corbin's all-round abilities have got him in.

There is also both burger and Coetzee coming off long injuries. Can you go into a final with guys you are unsure are ready for 5 day cricket?

 

[SeamUp]

There is also both burger and Coetzee coming off long injuries. Can you go into a final with guys you are unsure are ready for 5 day cricket?

Agreed. It's the right decision. Plus Nortje hasn't played a FC game in 2 years.

 

[Marius]

Ja, decent SA squad I think, no surprises.

 

[Gob]

Meanwhile Marcus Harris has a chance of a rare feat of 1000 runs in County before the end of May. Should hire him as Konstas's batting coach for English conditions

Harris: 5 games, 749 runs @ 83.22, 3 fifties and 3 hundreds in 10 innings. 2 games to go

Harris is statistically the worst test opening batsman of all time. He has proven time and time again that he is not up for test cricket and I don't think he has done much to change that from the bits I've seen of him.

 

[Coronis]

Harris is statistically the worst test opening batsman of all time. He has proven time and time again that he is not up for test cricket and I don't think he has done much to change that from the bits I've seen of him.

No he isn’t

 

[StephenZA]

What do we expect the pitch to play like? Lords been dry recently?

 

[SeamUp]

What do we expect the pitch to play like? Lords been dry recently?

Haven't watched games there so hoping @Molehill or other English lads can help. But these have been the County Championship games.

2 results even with runs to be had.

4 April Start

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-division-two-2025-1461821/middlesex-vs-lancashire-3rd-match-1461896/full-scorecard

18 April

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-division-two-2025-1461821/middlesex-vs-glamorgan-10th-match-1461903/full-scorecard

2 May

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-division-two-2025-1461821/middlesex-vs-kent-16th-match-1461909/full-scorecard

 

[Gob]

No he isn’t

Well he is in the conversation for sure. Averaging 25 after 14 games without a century. There's nothing to be gained by selecting him again

 

[Coronis]

Well he is in the conversation for sure. Averaging 25 after 14 games without a century. There's nothing to be gained by selecting him again

I would say the only reason would be if there was nobody to step up, which isn’t the case here.

 

[SeamUp]

Shuks confirms Rickelton & Markram will open.

De Zorzi v Bedingham
De Zorzi might allow Stubbs & Bavuma to be 4/5 but still think Bedders is our batsman most capable of taking down Australian quicks/spin in the middle order if we need to fight fire with fire.

 

[StephenZA]

Shuks confirms Rickelton & Markram will open.

De Zorzi v Bedingham
De Zorzi might allow Stubbs & Bavuma to be 4/5 but still think Bedders is our batsman most capable of taking down Australian quicks/spin in the middle order if we need to fight fire with fire.

If pitch is juicy I would play de Zorzi and trust Mulder as part of a 4 man attack. It's a one off test not worried about over bowling anyone for next test.

If it's drier and flatter, then play muthusamy in place of de Zorzi.

 

[SeamUp]

If pitch is juicy I would play de Zorzi and trust Mulder as part of a 4 man attack. It's a one off test not worried about over bowling anyone for next test.

If it's drier and flatter, then play muthusamy in place of de Zorzi.

Is that first option Mulder at 8 with Marco Kesh & KG as the bowlers?

 

[Dendarii]

Shuks confirms Rickelton & Markram will open.

De Zorzi v Bedingham
De Zorzi might allow Stubbs & Bavuma to be 4/5 but still think Bedders is our batsman most capable of taking down Australian quicks/spin in the middle order if we need to fight fire with fire.

Bedingham also has the most experience in England, so it makes sense to go with him.

 

[Molehill]

If pitch is juicy I would play de Zorzi and trust Mulder as part of a 4 man attack. It's a one off test not worried about over bowling anyone for next test.

If it's drier and flatter, then play muthusamy in place of de Zorzi.

3 matches played in the CC so far, 2 results (both on final day) and Lancs clung on for a draw 8 down in the other. Fair pitches with a bit in it for everyone, but certainly not 'juicy'.