Australia, West Indies Playing XIs for 1st Test announced; Sam Konstas, Shai Hope return

Australia National Cricket Team and West Indies National Cricket Team have announced their playing XIs for the first Test of the three-match series.

The Test series-opener between Australia and the West Indies is all set to be played at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, from June 25 to 29, and it will be part of the new ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

Marnus Labuschagne axed, Steve Smith absent as Aussies name playing XI

There is no place for the former World No.1 batsman Marnus Labuschagne in the Australian playing XI. He has been dropped after going through a lean patch for an extended period of time.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Steve Smith, the modern-day batting great, is also absent from the team because of the finger injury he sustained during Australia's defeat to South Africa in the ICC World Test Championship Final.

The teenage batting sensation Sam Konstas has made his comeback to the side and will be opening the innings with the veteran Usman Khawaja, while Josh Inglis will be taking over Steve Smith's No.4 spot. The rest of the playing XI is similar to what the Aussies fielded in the WTC Final 2025.

Talking about the team, the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins said that they want to back Cameron Green at No.3 despite his recent failures because he has the ability to serve the team for a long time. He elaborated:

"Coming over here with a few unknowns, that's fine, you have to think on your feet. We feel like the three quicks are better suited for this wicket."

"I always like to not have too many moving parts. We see that (Green at No. 3) as a long-term option. I think going into last week he's hitting the ball really well, he's moving really well.

"He had a Test match where it obviously didn't go to plan. Think he only faced three or four balls, so the message is not to look into that too much. We're really happy with where his game's placed and I dare say we'll get a decent run of number three."

We're just looking forward to making the Caribbean nation proud - Roston Chase

Roston Chase will be playing his first game in the Frank-Worrell Trophy after being appointed as the full-time Test skipper of the Caribbean team.

The new-look West Indies playing XI consists of returning Shai Hope, John Campbell, and the debutant Brandon King. In the absence of Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph, and Jayden Seales will be forming the three-man pace attack.

Speaking about their style of play, Roston Chase said that they want to bring the Caribbean touch to the Test matches they play and make the nation proud. Roston Chase said:

"We're looking to play with a bit more flair and bring back that Caribbean style to the game," Chase said.

"We're just looking forward to making the Caribbean nation proud. I just want to ask the fans to just support the boys through and through."

Australia and West Indies Playing XIs For 1st Test in Barbados

West Indies XI: 1. Kraigg Brathwaite, 2. John Campbell, 3. Keacy Carty, 4. Brandon King, 5. Roston Chase (c), 6. Shai Hope (wk), 7. Justin Greaves, 8. Jomel Warrican, 9. Alzarri Joseph, 10. Shamar Joseph, 11. Jayden Seales

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

Also Read: Watch: KL Rahul replaces Shubman Gill as India Test captain on Day 5 of Headingley Test