When it comes to cricketing insight and leadership, few names resonate with as much authority as Alyssa Healy, the dynamic skipper of Australia’s all-conquering women’s team. With a World Test Championship (WTC) Final on the horizon, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Pat Cummins’ Australia as they prepare to clash with Temba Bavuma’s South Africa at the iconic Lord’s from 11th to 15th June 2025. But what if one of the most celebrated minds in modern cricket was tasked with assembling the ultimate playing XI?
Temba Bavuma’s South Africa finished on top of the points table with 100 points from 12 games, including 8 victories and three defeats, alongside a drawn game against the West Indies in August 2024, and an impressive points percentage of 69.44. Australia, on the other hand, finished 2nd on the WTC (2023–2025) points table with 154 points from 19 games, including 13 victories and four defeats, alongside a couple of drawn games against India in December 2024 and against England in July 2023. They have a points percentage of 67.54.
Intriguingly, Alyssa Healy has stepped up to the crease, not to wield the bat, but to select her ideal Australian XI on the Willow Talk podcast powered by LISTNR Sport for this marquee showdown. Her choices reflect a deep understanding of the game, blending experience, form, and tactical nous. Healy’s selections mix established legends with bold, forward-thinking inclusions, offering fans and pundits alike a unique perspective on Australia’s best hope for Test glory.
So, how does Healy’s cricketing brain see the contest playing out? Who gets her trusted nod in the pressure cooker of a Test final at the Home of Cricket? Read on as we break down Alyssa Healy’s handpicked Australian XI-and the surprises and insights her selections reveal ahead of the WTC Final.
Alyssa Healy’s Playing 11 for the WTC Final against South Africa:
Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (Wk), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood
Healy’s selection is a masterclass in balancing experience with form and potential. The top order, anchored by Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, reflects the stability and resilience that have become the hallmarks of recent Australian Test sides. Steve Smith, a colossus in the longest format, adds gravitas and a sense of inevitability to the lineup.
But it’s in the middle order that Healy’s tactical nous truly shines. Cameron Green’s inclusion is no surprise given his all-round prowess, but the selection of Beau Webster is a bold and intriguing move. Webster, known for his versatility and temperament, brings a fresh dynamic to the side, perhaps a nod from Healy to the value of adaptability and the impact of new faces in high-pressure scenarios.
Travis Head, whose aggressive approach can turn a match on its head. As someone who has herself played many counter-attacking innings, Healy clearly values Head’s ability to seize momentum. Alex Carey, entrusted with the gloves, provides reliability behind the stumps and vital lower order runs, qualities Healy knows are indispensable in a Test Final.
In the bowling department, Healy sticks with the tried and tested: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood form a fearsome pace trio, each capable of exploiting English conditions with both the new and old ball. Nathan Lyon, the ever-reliable off-spinner, rounds out the attack, his experience and guile likely to be crucial on a Lord’s surface that can offer turn as the match progresses.
Healy’s XI is more than a list; it’s a statement of intent. It’s about trusting the process, valuing character under pressure, and blending tradition with innovation. As the men’s team gears up for their date with destiny, Healy’s perspective offers a timely reminder: cricket is as much about bold decisions as it is about big moments.
With the eyes of the cricketing world on Lord’s, Alyssa Healy’s chosen eleven will spark debate, discussion, and, perhaps, inspiration. After all, when a champion picks a team, it’s always worth paying attention.
