With the World Test Championship final closing in, here is every key question for Australian selectors

The World Test Championship final is drawing near, and there’s no certainty in the Australian team. Who’s a lock in? Who’s a potential and who has no chance? All the key questions for selectors.

Australia’s World Test Championship XI is far from locked in just three weeks’ out from the final at Lord’s, with plenty now riding on Marnus Labuschagne’s next outing for his English county.

Cameron Green’s twin centuries have elevated his chances of an immediate return to the Australian top four, but Labuschagne’s first up 0 and 4 at Glamorgan have only increased the pressure on his place at No.3.

It seems harsh that two county matches could have any great bearing on Labuschagne’s standing in the team with 10 Test centuries to his name, but the jostle between he, Green and youngster Sam Konstas for only two available positions in the top order is that tight that the little things matter.

Australia's selection conundrum ahead of the World Test Championship final.

If Labuschagne misses out in his second and final match for Glamorgan before he enters camp for the WTC Final, Konstas’ stocks might actually rise from not having picked up a bat at all.

The perennial tussle between Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland appears Australia’s only other selection question mark, and here is the breakdown of the issues confronting selectors over the coming weeks.

Locked in:Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon

The nucleus of this Australian side is well-entrenched and unless there is a late injury mishap at the IPL or in training, at least seven positions out of the XI are already set in stone. Usman Khawaja ensured his position was secure with his blazing double century against Sri Lanka earlier this year, while Steve Smith is back in sublime form following his domination of India and Sri Lanka. Travis Head was man-of-the-match in Australia’s last World Test

Championship Final triumph and once again shapes as the x-factor man who could take the title bout away from South Africa off his own bat. Alex Carey is under no pressure, while Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon pick themselves in the attack.

Travis Head (L) and Usman Khawaja are sure starters. Picture: Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP

Probable:Beau Webster, Josh Hazlewood

As it stands now it’s difficult to see all-rounder Beau Webster and champion fast bowler Josh Hazlewood not being part of the XI to take the field at Lord’s. To go into a match of this magnitude without an all-rounder would be a major gamble, particularly given all the quicks are coming off a white ball diet and will be without any red-ball match practice. The fact Hazlewood is firming to get the nod over Scott Boland for the third seamer position also works in Webster’s favour. Hazlewood has had a history in recent times of breaking down in first Tests, and it will be important to have Webster’s bowling as a back-up should a quick go down during the course of the Test match.

Could Josh Hazlewood’s shoulder niggle put him in doubt? Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Hazlewood cannot be completely locked in despite starring as the bowler of the IPL, because he has come away from the tournament with a slight shoulder niggle and Scott Boland is ever-present as a very capable substitute. Boland delivered for Australia in Hazlewood’s absence against India and played a key role in bringing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy home. Webster’s only threat will be if Australia decides it can go without a fifth bowler and wants to instead reintroduce Cameron Green (returning from back surgery) down the order or keep Josh Inglis in the XI following his heroics in Sri Lanka.

Possible:Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Sam Konstas

It will be very interesting to find out what impact county cricket has on the three men apparently gunning for two spots in the final XI – Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green and Sam Konstas. Labuschagne is now under pressure to make a score in the second of his two county appearances for Glamorgan after failing in his first, while Green’s stocks for an immediate Australian recall have risen on the back of two centuries for Gloucester. In Konstas’ case, it remains to be seen whether he benefits or suffers from not being in England for any county matches.

Unlikely: Scott Boland, Josh Inglis

It’s massively harsh on Boland to say he’s unlikely because he would do a fabulous job and there will be many who say he deserves to be preferred over Hazlewood. But Hazlewood’s record, combined with his IPL form and pedigree in England is hard to ignore and it just feels like Boland could again be the unlucky man. Inglis’ claim to retain his spot in the XI cannot be dismissed because he did score a hundred on debut in Sri Lanka. National Selector George Bailey refused to rule Inglis out of the equation.

No chance: Matthew Kuhnemann

The left-arm spinner will be carrying the drinks in London (unless Nathan Lyon does a Glenn McGrath and steps on a ball in the warm-up). But Kuhnemann will come into play in the West Indies where certain surfaces could suit two spinners.

Originally published as With the World Test Championship final closing in, here is every key question for Australian selectors