The Australian squad is gathering in the UK as they gear up for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s on 11 June. Coach Andrew McDonald describes this period as a “muddled mess” with players scattered across different formats and locations but remains confident in their collective preparation. Let’s look at how some of the key players have spent the past few weeks.
Usman Khawaja has been navigating the aftermath of a challenging season end, marked by tensions with Queensland cricket. He has remained at home, prepping for what could be the final phase of his international career, perhaps concluding with the Ashes next season. His experience will be crucial in the WTC final, especially given the uncertainty over his opening partner.
Sam Konstas had hoped for a county stint to polish his skills but ended up training at home. He spent time at Cricket Central in Sydney and in Brisbane, where he focused on technical improvements. With input from Nathan Lyon, Konstas has invested personally in his development, which will be interesting to watch over the coming months.
There’s much debate around Marnus Labuschagne. After two challenging years in Tests, he had a tough time at Glamorgan with scores of 0, 4, and 23. Yet, his familiarity with English conditions might work in his favour if he’s chosen as an opener, a role he’s being considered for.
Steven Smith has been in New York, combining runs around the city with gym sessions, prepping in his own style. With over 10,000 Test runs, Smith’s method is trusted by the management. His form suggests the motivation to continue remains strong, despite ongoing speculation about the length of his career.
Travis Head participated in the IPL but couldn’t quite replicate last year’s exceptional form. He scored 374 runs, including a robust 76 off 40 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad, prior to battling COVID. Now, his focus shifts to adapting back to Test cricket, hoping to recreate his impactful innings from The Oval two years ago.
Overall, the squad’s varied preparation styles, from playing domestic cricket to training privately, provide a varied yet promising groundwork as they look to challenge South Africa for the WTC title.
