*Official* WTC FINAL Australia vs South Africa 2025

[GotSpin]

Ricky Ponting's xi

Khawaja
Marnus
Green
Smith
Head
Webster
Carey
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

The only question there would be whether Hazlewood is fit enough

 

[Prince EWS]

Border actually played most often at 4. And like I said I wasn’t even talking about Australia.

Point is anyway you don’t move the best batsman in your side from their preferred position.

Sometimes you do imo. Comparative advantage.

 

[Prince EWS]

Ricky Ponting's xi

Khawaja
Marnus
Green
Smith
Head
Webster
Carey
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

I agree with this entirely as long as Haze is properly fit.

 

[Qlder]

Green just looks so wrong at 3 as he's a terrible starter. 1 down becomes 2 down very quickly

 

[reyrey]

Don't think Marnus will open. Before Smith had a go opening the idea of Marnus opening was floated around, but quickly shut down by Marnus.

He has some kinda mental block when it comes to him opening.

 

[Prince EWS]

Don't think Marnus will open. Before Smith had a go opening the idea of Marnus opening was floated around, but quickly shut down by Marnus.

He has some kinda mental block when it comes to him opening.

He'll do it if the alternative is being dropped.

 

[Coronis]

He has some kinda mental block when it comes to him batting.

Recently, yes. May as well try something different

 

[TheJediBrah]

Common sense and logic convinces me that he is more likely to succeed at 4 than he would at 3

I would say the opposite. There's no logical reason to think he wouldn't do just as well at 3.

Not saying I'd move him but still

 

[Prince EWS]

I would say the opposite.

Yessssssssss

 

[Gob]

I would say the opposite. There's no logical reason to think he wouldn't do just as well at 3.

Not saying I'd move him but still

You don't think having to face a newer ball wouldn't increase the chances of getting out early doors?

 

[Burgey]

Borders record shows he was willing to bat anywhere in the order to help his team....Smith not so much it appears as he can only bat #4 (after he failed as an opener)

This is a pretty weird comment given Smith volunteered to move to opener.

 

[Burgey]

Anyway, does anyone think SA will realistically last more than three days against Australia in this? Should be a walk in the park.

 

[Coronis]

Anyway, does anyone think SA will realistically last more than three days against Australia in this? Should be a walk in the park.

Possibly not. They have been in red hot form though haven’t faced the higher level sides in a row. You’d never discount their bowling and Bavuma has been on fire so walk in the park? No

 

[TheJediBrah]

I'm not familiar with Bavuma. Is he the one that ran out David Warner in that Perth Test a few years back

 

[Gob]

Possibly not. They have been in red hot form though haven’t faced the higher level sides in a row. You’d never discount their bowling and Bavuma has been on fire so walk in the park? No

Bowling is comparable but the strength in Batting is a bit of a mismatch. A lot will hinge on the wicket

 

[Nintendo]

I'm not familiar with Bavuma. Is he the one that ran out David Warner in that Perth Test a few years back

He's the one with the fat ass.

 

[TheJediBrah]

He's the one with the fat ass.

Sounds like my kind of girl

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I'm not familiar with Bavuma. Is he the one that ran out David Warner in that Perth Test a few years back

Really short. Has improved a lot.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Anyway, does anyone think SA will realistically last more than three days against Australia in this? Should be a walk in the park.

Bowling is quality. In the last year a lot of different Saffas have stood up and scored 100s.

 

[Thala_0710]

SA are going to play a 4 day warmup game against Zimbabwe in England as part of their preparation for the WTC final.