Beau Webster, Pat Cummins unite to stab Mitchell Marsh in the back; Mitchell Starc’s place confirmed
Australia will hand Test debut to all-rounder Beau Webster for the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. Webster will replace Mitchell Marsh in the Playing XI, who has looked woefully out of form in the first four Tests.
Beau Webster’s debut was confirmed by Australian captain Pat Cummins, who spoke to the media ahead of the fifth test at the SCG. Cummins also gave a fresh update on quick Mitchell Starc, who faced injury problems in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Beau Webster is preparing for his Test debut
Beau Webster has been in the Australian squad for a long time, eagerly waiting for his chance. He was in form with both bat and ball in recent Sheffield Shield seasons. Beau Webster was the leading run-getter last season with 938 runs at an average of 58.62.
The all-rounder also claimed 30 wickets at an average of 29.30. Webster played four first-class matches this season and scored 303 runs at an average of 50.50. He scored a century and a half. He also picked up 9 wickets at an average of 37.88.
Beau Webster scored an unbeaten 50 for Australia A in a pre-Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against India A. This knock came in the first four-day game in Mackay and also produced 2 three-wicket hauls in the second game played in Melbourne.
Mitchell Marsh went down after poor results
Mitchell Marsh was in line for the drop following his poor form with the bat in the ongoing series in which he scored just 73 runs at an average of 10.42. Pat Cummins revealed the reason for his dismissal and accepted Marsh’s disappointing return with the bat.
“Mitchy (Mitchell Marsh), obviously he didn’t get enough runs, or maybe the wickets he would have liked in this series. So we felt it was time for a refresher and Beau was with the team. He was great,” Cummins told reporters. .
“So it’s a shame for Mitchy, because we know how much he brings to the team, but I think now is a good week for Beau (Webster) to get a chance,” he added.
Cummins also praised Beau Webster for his excellent results in first-class cricket. He claimed that it was not difficult to tell Mitchell Marsh about his exclusion as he was already aware of his poor returns.
“He was completely understanding. I think his words were, yeah, not necessarily blindsided. He knows he didn’t score the runs or take the wickets he would have liked. It makes you vulnerable. Really excited for Beau. The first thing he said, I can’t wait to see Beau go out there and try,” Cummins revealed.
The latest on Mitchell Starc’s fitness
At the same press conference, Pat Cummins also confirmed that Mitchell Starc is fit to play in Sydney after an injury scare in the fourth Test. Starc had a rib/back problem during the first innings of the match in India.
He had to leave the field halfway through but returned the next day to bat. Starc also bowled without any problems in the second innings which increased the chances of his inclusion in the New Year Test.
With Mitchell Starc fully fit for their home Test match, Australia have a strong bowling attack that will look to confirm their place in the WTC final and bring back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia playing XI for the fifth Test against India
Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (ie), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
