On the eve of the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa, the final makeup of the Aussie side remains a mystery.

One squad was picked for both this one-off Test at Lord’s and for the subsequent tour of the West Indies, and the role of some squad members are more obvious than others.

For example, Matt Kuhnemann, who recently had his action probed and cleared by the ICC, is in the squad to form part of a two-pronged spin attack in the Caribbean, and is unlikely to play in England, while Beau Webster is seemingly in the mix as a back-up all-rounder.

THE MOLE: Benji ‘skating on thin ice’ amid NRL crackdown

READ MORE: Crowd goes nuts as Galvin cements Bulldogs win

READ MORE: ‘A really dark place’: McKeown’s sad admission after DQ, protest

But beyond that, several selection decisions could give a glimpse into the minds of selectors who will likely have one eye on the home Ashes series later in the year.

Who partners Usman Khawaja?

After dazzling in his first taste of Test cricket against India at home, Sam Konstas didn’t play in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.

Instead, left-handed dynamo Travis Head was put to the top of the order, but he isn’t expected to reprise the role at Lord’s.

Marnus Labuschagne instead is the man expected to step up, but Konstas’ selection in the squad does throw up some doubt.

If Konstas doesn’t open, the two players simply don’t fit in the team together.

The opening pair has traditionally been made up of one player who can hold an end, while the other plays more aggressively.

Konstas clearly demonstrated in Melbourne and Sydney his preference is for the latter. He’s also never played in England, so his selection would come with some risk.

But does Marnus’ form even warrant his selection in the first place?

What about Marnus Labuschagne’s form?

Labuschagne has traditionally gone well in England. It was there he introduced himself to the world in spectacular fashion as a concussion sub for Steve Smith.

But his form over the past two years has been poor.

He hasn’t scored a Test century since the 2023 Ashes series, and has averaged only 28.33 in this WTC cycle. His strike rate over the last two years has dropped to 46.4, against a career rate of 51.94.

In the most recent home summer, his scoring was at times glacial. He scored just 2 from 54 balls in Perth and 12 from 54 in Brisbane.

Usman Khawaja has the anchor role secured and there are concerns as to whether or not Labuschagne can play the aggressor against a new ball, given he was all at sea against Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada is expected to pose a similar threat.

He’s hardly set the world alight in his two games for Glamorgan in the English county second division, recording scores of 0, 4 and 23 from his three innings.

If he’s picked, there is little doubt Labuschagne will be batting for his spot in the side, which he has held permanently since 2019.

How will Cameron Green fare?

Having missed the entire home summer recovering from back surgery, Cameron Green has made a triumphant return to cricket and will almost certainly be in the XI and is firming to bat at No.3.

While the aforementioned Labuschagne has struggled for Glamorgan, Green has been superb for Gloucestershire in the County competition.

He scored a ton in his first innings back, and in his last two games has scored runs for fun. Against Kent, he belted 128 and then 67 not-out, and followed it up with 118 not-out and 25 against Northamptonshire.

Regardless of who opens, Green is favoured to move into Labuschagne’s spot at first drop.

Green’s ability with the ball and prowess at gully has proven invaluable for the Aussies on numerous occasions. But his his return to cricket has been as a batter only, and he isn’t expected to return to his full bowling fitness until later in the year.

Green said having just the one focus was better for him anyway.

“I’m always going to keep bowling, but you’re so much more relaxed [with] half a game to worry about,” he told ESPNcricinfo.

“When you’re bowling and batting, there’s so much more you have to do bowling wise to keep yourself fit and ready to play. It does take away from batting.

“Certainly, just batting is nice.”

Who is the third quick?

As always, there’s the debate about what the Aussie fast bowling cartel should look like, and it looks like the decision is down to Scott Boland or Josh Hazlewood.

Selectors look as if they’ll lean towards the tried and tested Starc-Cummins-Hazlewood attack, although Boland’s length could make him a smart choice in England, where the Duke ball behaves differently to the Kookaburra.

Both are fit. Hazlewood is coming off a strong IPL season, while Boland has not played since the conclusion of the Shield season.