South Africa and Australia have confirmed their starting XIs for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on 11 June with both teams opting to shake-up their top-orders with unusual selections in the top order.
The Proteas will have allrounder Wiaan Mulder at No 3 while Australia have moved their usual No 3, Marnus Labuschagne, up to open the batting in order to accommodate another allrounder – Cameron Green – at No 3.
"Mulder is quite young in that position but, I’ve played with him and seen the way he has grown in the last two years within the red-ball format,” Bavuma said.
“It's about giving him a lot more confidence, keep backing him and just allowing him to do what he does best.
“He has an opportunity in a pressure situation, but I think he can take comfort from the fact that the guys are backing him. We just want him to play his game,” Bavuma said.
Mulder is not a natural selection at No 3, of course, but has been slotted in there in order for the team to have a fifth bowling option and specifically a bowler who can swing the ball.
The most difficult selection decision, however, was between Lungi Ngidi and Dane Paterson as the third seamer behind automatic selections Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen – with Ngidi being preferred despite Paterson’s fine record during the WTC and the fact that he has being playing for Middlesex in the County Championship this season and is consequently familiar with conditions at Lord’s.
“Probably one of the tougher decisions that has been made. We see what Dane Paterson did for us to the end of last season," Bavuma said.
“But it was more from a tactical point of view, probably a little bit more pace from Lungi and he's a bit taller as well.
“Lungi also has a better record, not taking away anything from Patto. He has the experience, he's played here before, not that Patto hasn't. I think Lungi will complement that bowling attack a little more. We have a guy like Mulder, who can give us something similar to Patto,” Bavuma said.
The Proteas have announced the starting XI for the #WTC25 final 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/go52LeZraV
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 10, 2025
SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne (wkt), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
AUSTRALIA: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wkt), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.