The team lineup for the World Test Championship final against Australia, which will be held at Lord's on June 11, was unveiled on Tuesday by Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa. In the playing XI, the Proteas chose Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowler Lungi Ngidi above the in-form Dane Paterson.

Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and lone full-time spinner Keshav Maharaj will be among the bowlers alongside Ngidi.

The choice to move Ngidi was based on strategy, but it was also one of the hardest choices we had to make. We watched what Dane Paterson accomplished for us until the conclusion of the previous season," Bavuma said, explaining the reasoning behind the transfer. I think Lungi has a bit more speed; he's probably a bit taller too.

"Moreover, Patto's record isn't diminished by Lungi's superior one. Not that Patto hasn't, but he (Ngidi) has the experience and has previously performed here.

"However, I believe he (Ngidi) will add a bit more to that bowling assault. We have someone like Mulder who can give us something similar to Patto.

"It was likely one of the hardest choices we had to make."

Another noteworthy choice in the playing XI was sticking with Wiaan Mulder at No. 3 after his recent accomplishments in the series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

In that role, Mulder is fairly young. However, I believe that having played with Mulder, having observed him, and seeing how he has developed over the past two years in the red-ball format," Bavuma stated.

"It's about boosting his confidence, supporting him constantly, and simply letting him do what he excels at.

He has a chance in a high-pressure environment, but he can also find solace in the knowledge that the men are supporting him. All we want is for him to play his game.

The South African starting XI is made up of Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi.

With an outstanding success rate, South Africa has only lost once at Lords since 1991, along with five victories and one tie. In the meantime, Australia, the defending champion, has a thorough understanding of the venue's environment and has won 18 of its 40 games.

At the Oval in June 2023, Pat Cummins's Australia will be hoping to defend the mace they won by beating India in the previous iteration of the World Test Championship Final. In the last two years, Australia has won away in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, kept the Ashes in England in 2023, and maintained its perfect record in Test series. They also earned a place in the WTC decider against the Proteas by defeating India and Pakistan at home, as well as drawing against the West Indies.

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