As anticipation builds for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final, former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has revealed his playing XI for the marquee clash against South Africa at Lord’s, raising a few eyebrows with bold selection calls — including a surprise move to open with Cameron Green.
🏏 Brad Haddin’s Australia XI for the WTC Final:
- Cameron Green
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Beau Webster
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon / Scott Boland
- Josh Hazlewood
Green to Open? Haddin Thinks So
Speaking on the Willow Talk Podcast, Haddin expressed confidence in Green’s return to the Test XI — not just in the middle order, but potentially opening the batting.
“I think Cameron Green will come back into the squad… and what that looks like, I think you’ll see him at either one or three, and Marnus the other one,” Haddin said.
The unusual move comes as Labuschagne faces mounting pressure after a string of low scores for Glamorgan — 0, 4, and 23 — all caught behind the wicket, exposing a weakness against seam and swing ahead of a potentially overcast Lord’s Test.
Webster In, Lyon Out?
Another big call in Haddin’s XI is the inclusion of Beau Webster, a versatile all-rounder who adds batting depth and medium pace — possibly at the expense of Nathan Lyon, depending on pitch and weather conditions.
“It’ll be interesting with the forecast… if it’s overcast and we know Lord’s… do you think there’s a world here where Lyno [Lyon] doesn’t play that one-off game?” Haddin asked.
That scenario opens the door for Scott Boland, who boasts an exceptional Test record: 56 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 17.66. Boland was the Player of the Match in his last Test, bagging 4/31 and 6/45 against India at the SCG.
Experience Over Experimentation
While Haddin acknowledges that the West Indies tour following the final could see more experimentation, he believes the WTC Final calls for Australia’s proven performers.
“They’ll use the players they’ve used over this cycle… I think the Test team could look a lot different in the West Indies, but for the Test Championship, Cameron Green will come straight back in.”
The WTC Final kicks off on June 11, and all eyes will be on Green’s role, Lyon vs. Boland, and whether Haddin’s bold XI becomes a reality.
