What could the Australia and South Africa squads look like for the WTC Final?

The World Test Championship final is just two months away. That’s plenty of time for players to rest, recover, and of course, toil through the IPL. But time, as we know it, is relative. Two months don’t flow as glacially when you are burdened with questions with no answers, or those with too many of them. Especially when these conundrums could make or break whatever both sides did to make it this far.

We look at the possible playing XI of both sides, who are seemingly spoilt for choices, though after nearly two years of grind, they, at least, have a solid foundation to build on.

Australia:

Australia have the mace and their title defence campaign has been steady thus far. Just one more match stands between them and another trip back home with it. But who will they have on board for the final push?

The core, obviously, remains untouchable. Usman Khawaja will be one of the openers, and Travis Head will return to bolster the middle-order. Steve Smith at No. 4 is sacrosanct and Australia know better than to interfere with him and the magic he weaves at that position.

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will spearhead the bowling attack and could receive some occasional relief from part-timers.

However, the selection headaches linger elsewhere. The return of Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne’s form rut, Josh Inglis’ recent brilliance, and Beau Webster’s ability to bat in the middle order and bowl just like it should be bowled in England have created a selection squeeze in the middle.

How will Australia go about it? Smith and Head are a sure shot at their preferred No. 4 and No.5 positions. It would not be an anomaly if the selectors look past Labuschagne, who has averaged less than 30 this WTC cycle. If that happens, Cameron Green could slot in to bat at No.3. While the selectors would be tempted to push him down the order, ideally at No. 6, an extra bowling option in Webster makes him more indispensable than Green, who would be unable to contribute with the ball.

Will Sam Konstas open in the final? That hinges entirely on how bold Australia are willing to be. The 18-year-old has racked up 652 runs for New South Wales this summer in the Shield and was rewarded with a contract just last week. The stakes are high, but so is the potential reward.

Australia 1 Sam Konstas, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Cameron Green/Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steve Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Beau Webster, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (c), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood

South Africa:

South Africa don't have the mace, or any ICC trophy, for that matter. But ending their persistent trophy drought in the most supreme of all formats could be a small attempt to undo, at least in part, the years of near-misses and heartbreaks they have endured.

Fortunately for them, they do not have much selection shake-up to do.

Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi are locked in at the opening slots, followed by Ryan Rickleton at first drop. Temba Bavuma dropped down to the middle order against Sri Lanka and Pakistan last year, mainly to give Tristan Stubbs the chance to bat at the No. 4 position. Ryan Rickleton at No. 3 with Stubbs' aggression would be just the right recipe for the Proteas, which is why the Proetas captain will likely stay in the middle-order.

Kyle Verreynne has made a strong case for himself to be a starter for the final game as the wicket-keeper.

What has helped South Africa, perhaps more than anything, lately is their batting depth. If Gerald Coetzee is fit for the game, they could easily bat until No.9, with both him and Marco Jansen providing firepower down the order along with their pace.

That leaves the final slots for Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada. Not only do they possess a wealth of experience, but they will also be relied to shoulder the bulk of the bowling responsibility in what will be, probably, the biggest match of their careers.

South Africa Probable XI: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada