All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been dropped from Australia’s playing 11 for the Sydney Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, while Beau Webster has been named as a replacement.
Pat Cummins also confirmed that Mitchell Starc has been declared fit for the final test. Starc suffered back issues during the Melbourne test and bowled only 16 overs in the second innings and managed to take only one wicket but Australia secured an 184-run victory.
“One change. ‘Marshy’ misses out and Beau Webster is debuting. Mitchy hasn’t quite got the runs or the wickets that perhaps he would have liked in this series. It felt like it was time for a freshen up, and Beau has been with the squad and has been great.”
“It’s a shame for Mitchy because we know how much he brings to the team, but we felt now’s a good week for Beau to get a chance,” Cummins said in the pre-match press conference on January 2.
JUST IN: Pat Cummins confirms a change to the playing XI for the SCG Test #AUSvIND
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Webster is set to become the 469th test player for Australia and is the preferred sixth batter for the side, with Pat Cummins confirming there were no fitness concerns for Marsh despite minor back complaints earlier in this series.
Webster was the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield amassing 938 runs, a testament to his batting prowess. The decision to drop Marsh was confirmed by Australian captain Cummins at a press conference held on the eve of the Sydney Test.
Marsh scored 73 runs across four tests at an average of 10.42. His contributions with the ball were also inconsistent.
Australia secured an unassiable 2-1 lead in the ongoing BGT 2024-25 and the fifth test will begin on January 03 at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia Playing 11 for Sydney Test: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
