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Find your Sport Nation frequencyTim Paine makes WTC Final prediction and names his Aussie XI
SEN • June 9th, 2025 2:30 pm
There is a consensus among Australia’s best cricketers that Sam Konstas will be the one to miss out on a spot for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s with the teen sensation set to get his chance against the West Indies.
With one eye on the Ashes which get underway in November, Australian players vying for a starting spot are in for a long run-in with the final against South Africa on Wednesday the first in a long line of auditions.
SEN’s Tim Paine is certain Konstas will be on the sidelines to watch the decider with Marnus Labuschagne to get the nod as Australia’s opener alongside Usman Khawaja.
“What does the team look like,” Paine said on SEN Tassie Breakfast alongside co-host Brent Costelloe.
“For me, Marnus will open, I think Sammy Konstas will probably miss out given that it’s a one-off Test, a Grand Final if you like.
“I think if it was a series we were heading into Konstas would be given the role and the time but Marnus will open next week.
“Cam Green will come into the side, he’s been in great form for Gloucestershire, he’s scored three hundreds in his last four hits so I think he will come in and bat at number three which will leave Steve Smith at four, Head at five, Beau Webster six, Alex Carey and Josh Hazlewood will come back in now that he is fit.
“So the big three from NSW, Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood to team up with Nathan Lyon.
“That’s how I think we will line up and I think the Aussies have the edge to win back-to-back World Test Championships which would be an amazing achievement for this team."
Few are backing South Africa to cause an upset in London but the Proteas have undergone quite the restructure since they last played Australia.
Reaching the final of the T20 World Cup last year was a pivotal moment in their evolution, particularly when it comes to handling high-pressure environments.
Their pace attack is also an unpredictable weapon, according to Paine.
“I think both have a great pace attack, they’re extremely strong,” he said.
“There will be some good air speed and air ball on display particularly with the Dukes ball.
“The winning team will be the batting side that can handle the opposition's pace attack and with that, I think Australia has more depth and a better batting line up and I think they will get it done.”
The WTC gets underway this Wednesday, June 11 from 8 pm AEST and SEN will be streaming the entire Test.
