Will Cummins Stick with Smith at Number Four for WTC Final Against South Africa?

New Delhi, June 4 (NationPress) Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins has officially announced that star batter Steve Smith will take the number four position in the forthcoming World Test Championship final against South Africa, scheduled to take place at Lord’s from June 11-15.

Smith boasts an impressive record with 23 centuries and 26 fifties at number four in Test matches. He previously made a significant impact with a first-innings century, which played a crucial role in Australia's victory over India in the 2023 World Test Championship Final at The Oval in London.

Despite early speculation about Smith potentially opening the batting alongside Usman Khawaja, Cummins has clarified his position. “I can confirm that Smudge will be batting at four. Everyone else, I’m not willing to specify, but I can confirm Steve Smith will be number four,” Cummins stated during an interview with The Grade Cricketer on Prime Video Australia.

Australia is on the brink of becoming the first team to achieve back-to-back WTC titles. Cummins elaborated on the challenges involved in navigating the two-year championship cycle. “After winning in 2023, there's significant discussion around the ambition to retain it. To defend it is not a tangible goal until you reach the final. Now that we are there, winning another ICC trophy would be incredible,” he added.

“Competing at Lord's is a prestigious opportunity that every Test-playing nation desires. It symbolizes a remarkable journey over the past couple of years. Test tournaments require winning most home matches, but we had to overcome tough spinning conditions in Sri Lanka and defeat a formidable side in New Zealand. It reflects the necessity of being a well-rounded team over an extended period to reach the final. We narrowly missed out in the first year (2019-2021), but I believe we are a stronger team now than before. Securing two WTC titles would be extraordinary, while one already showcases our excellence over recent years,” he explained.

Cummins concluded by acknowledging that South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, possesses several match-winners capable of posing a significant challenge in the WTC final. “They consistently compete in every tournament. Their experience, especially from their white-ball teams, is invaluable as they participate in various franchise leagues,” he noted.

“With players like Rabada, Maharaj, and Bavuma, they bring a wealth of experience. Their pace attack is strong, featuring not just one or two key players, but a roster of four to six capable bowlers. Some of their batters may be less familiar, yet they have amassed impressive domestic runs. We have faced many in their squad, but not all. There’s always an element of mystique surrounding South Africa, as we don’t compete against them as frequently as we do against India.”