Australia have dropped Mitchell Marsh from their playing XI for the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney starting Friday (January 3).
Marsh made way for Tasmania all-rounder Beau Webster, who is set to make his Test debut, revealed captain Pat Cummins.
"Mitchy, obviously hasn't quite got the runs, or perhaps the wickets that he would have liked this series," Cummins said in the press conference on the eve of the SCG Test.
"So we felt like it was time for a freshening up, and Beau's been with the squad. He's been great. So it's a shame for Mitchy, because we know how much he brings to the team, but feel like now it's a good week for Beau to get a chance."
Cummins also confirmed Mitchell Starc’s availability for the game despite him carrying a rib niggle for which he had to undergo scans on Wednesday.
Marsh’s spot in the side was under the scanner, with him just scoring 73 runs at an average of 10.42 and taking three wickets at 46.33 across the four Tests. His highest score of 47 came in the second innings at Perth when Australia were on the verge of defeat. And since taking 2-12 in the first innings of the series, Marsh has had figures of 1-127 in 28 overs.
On the other hand, Webster has averaged 57.1 in first-class cricket, while also picking up 81 wickets at 31.7 since March 2022. He was part of the two-match series between Australia A and India A. He took 1-69 and scored 33 and 61 not out in the first match, following that up with 3-19 and 3-49, and 5 and 46 not out, in the second game. The most amusing aspect of Webster's call-up is – he hadn't bowled pace until the Covid-19 lockdown hit.
"He's just been one of those star performers for Tasmania with the bat or ball, or in the field. He always seems to have a big impact. Quite aggressive. Can change the game, like we've seen Mitch Marsh or Trav Head, or Alex Carey do in that middle order," Cummins said.
"And he's been a great personality around the squad. Even day five there in Melbourne he was itching to get on the field. It's going to be awesome to see him debut. Really love what he brought to the squad so far."
India have not named a replacement, but it may be one of Harshit Rana, Mukesh Kumar, and Prasidh Krishna.
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) January 2, 2025
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Australia's playing XI for SCG Test:
Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
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