Australia’s World Test Championship (WTC) Final loss is well and truly behind us, but there will be no grief here. The Australian cricket machine is on a tough tour to the Caribbean, starting with the first of three Tests, this one against the West Indies at Kensington Oval, Barbados, on June 25.
However, this isn’t just a series. This marks the beginning of Australia’s new WTC 2025-27 cycle – and already we can feel what appears to be change and experimentation in the camp. Excluded absences, new inclusions, a reshuffled batting order – it will be a Test of particular interest to Australian fans, and selectors too!
No Marnus, No Smith: Key Absentees
The most noteworthy headlines as we enter the first Test is the news that two key players, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, will not be present. Labuschagne was dropped after a long stretch of bad runs, and didn’t do much in the WTC Final. Smith is out after sustaining a finger injury in the WTC Final and he will be touch and go if he can recover for the remainder of the series.
With 2019-2022 secured batsmen for Australia absent, this Test will mark an important litmus test for the next coat of seamers.
Australia’s Expected Playing XI for the 1st Test vs West Indies
The expected XI that Australia will put out is:
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
Top of the Order: Khawaja & Konstas Open
Usman Khawaja will remain the senior opening batsmen. He has been a reliable batsmen in red-ball cricket for a number of years, and losing Smith and Marnus, increases his importance, and puts pressure on Khawaja to hold one end and help with mentoring a debutant.
The debutant will be Sam Konstas, who has done particularly well at the domestic level in the past seasons. As a young batsmen with a different technique, Konstas could do well, especially against the West Indies who will be providing him with brand new balls early in his international career.
Cameron Green at No. 3: A Long-Term Strategy
After the horror WTC Final, Cameron Green has seen the green light to bat No. 3, granted, it is not a quick-fix. As confirmed by his captain Pat Cummins, this is an investment into Green’s future as a No. 3.
“He had the one Test match that didn’t go to plan… but we’re really happy with where his game is at,” said Cummins.
A big stamp of responsibility on a young man’s shoulders, but his versatility, annotations, and an investment into a young player are all positive signs for a player to follow. The series is important for Green, in creating his position in the red-ball core of Australia.
Middle Order Shift: Josh Inglis at 4, Head at 5.
The absence of Steve Smith means Josh Inglis is chosen at No. 4. There was some debate about him being higher, but naturally two of first three were always going to be Smith and Marnus Labuschagne anyway. Inglis gives them the flexibility to bat from lower down, having batted in numerous positions in both red and white-ball cricket. His technique, defensiveness and sympathy for the swinging ball, could well be assets for Australia, particularly in the Caribbean.
At 5, Travis Head appears to have nailed down a position on the playing list. He has been a game-changer, whether that was 3 Ashes wins for Australia or the World Cup Final against New Zealand. Head has formed an important role in the middle order – especially in times of stress.
Late Addition Beau Webster enters at 6
The current update brings Beau Webster into number 6. Webster is a tall, multifaceted all-rounder and positions himself as a stretch batter that will bat higher than his average 25-30 runs. Webster has added another considerable player who scored runs, bowling medium pace and who has another flexible player in the batting line-up and taking a chance. If Webster plays well, he is a strong chance of reinforcing the line-up as back-up or contender for someone like Mitch Marsh in future series.
Alex Carey keeps the gloves
Alex Carey remains a keeper and bats at No. 7. Despite being out of his form, his glovework has been at least world-class. This will be a big test to see how long he hangs on to a place in the Test squad.
Bowler: Full Strength and Ready to Go
The Australian group of bowlers is entirely unchanged and is still world-class. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon maintain reactively pace, bounce, swing and spin.
This is the strength of Australia — a fully fit attack, unbelievably blessed with experience and could defeat any batting line-up on their day.
Key Talking Points
How will the Australian top-order go without Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne?
Can Konstas and Green prove they are appropriate players at this level?
Will Inglis take his chance in the No. 4 middle order?
How effective will Webster be as a utility player.
What This Means for Australia’s WTC Cycle
This Test match isn’t just any old bilateral series in cricket terms – it’s the start of Australia’s redemption story for the 2025–27 WTC cycle. A good start against a potentially tricky West Indies team, certainly at home, might provide them some momentum as this series develops.
While Australia are still clear favorites with a couple of big names not involved, I’m sure they will be cautious this time – especially after the brilliance of Shamar Joseph in the earlier played 2024 series Down Under.
Final Thoughts
This first Test match vs the West Indies will be about transition, experimentation and opportunity. Australia are set to line up with a mix of age and experience, with selectors obviously looking to put together some solid bench strength in the future.
If they have the right mindset and are able to execute, this series could become the launchpad for Australia not just to get back to winning, but to be able to solidify the generation of Test stars to come.
