Last Updated:
Australia have confirmed that Beau Webster would make his Test debut coming in place of the out-of-form Mitchell Marsh for the final Test in Sydney.
Mitchell Marsh (L) has been dropped while Beau Webster (R) is set to make his Test debut. (Image: AFP)
Australian skipper Pat Cummins has confirmed that the side will drop the out-of-form Mitchell Marsh and hand a Test debut to the Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster for the fifth and final Test against India at Sydney.
Marsh’s lack of returns with the bat or ball and his injury concerns meant that he would make way for the 31-year-old all-rounder with 93 first-class games under his belt. He scored 5297 runs at an average of 37.83 with 12 hundreds and 24 fifties with the bat and 148 wickets, which makes him an ideal replacement in the middle-order.
“‘Mitchy’ obviously hasn’t quite got the runs, and perhaps wickets this series,” Cummins told reporters on Thursday. So we felt like it was time for a freshen up and Beau’s been great. 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 was quoted by cricket.com.au as saying.
Cummins expressed his excitement at seeing Webster debut and also commented on how it is a big thing in Australia when a batter gets dropped from the side.
“Really excited for Beau; the first thing he (Marsh) said was ‘I can’t wait to see Beau go out there and give it a crack’,” Cummins said.
“Particularly here in Australia, I think when a batter misses out or gets dropped, it’s always seen as a big thing. But the way that (Australia coach Andrew McDonald), and the selectors and myself look at is we love pulling a squad of players together who we can call on at different times,” he added.
Cummins also confirmed that Mitchell Starc would also be playing the final Test at the SCG. However, the skipper mentioned that the southpaw is carrying a rib niggle and would play through the injury for the final Test.
The Aussies will be keen on getting the win in Sydney to help them reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade and also put themselves in front for the race to a second consecutive final in the World Test Championship to defend their title.
Australia’s XI For Sydney Test: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
- Location :
Sydney, Australia
