Beau Webster will make his debut for the New Year’s Test match against India at Sydney Cricket Ground. The Australian team has decided to axe the out-of-form Mitchell Marsh from the XI.
The Australian team has made only this change in the playing XI that has helped them to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Mitch Starc was declared fit for the SCG test despite complaining about rib soreness during the last test match.
Marsh has not had a great series; he is struggling at the moment. His last five visits to the crease do not result in any double-digit scores. On the bowling front, he has contributed with only 33 overs.
“Mitchy obviously hasn’t quite got the runs, and perhaps wickets this series,” Cummins said about Marsh on the eve of the last test match. “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.”
Beau Webster, the Tasmanian all-rounder has averaged 57.1 in first-class cricket since March 2022. He has also picked up 81 wickets at 31.7.
“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’.”
“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.”
Here is the playing XI for the Australian team for the fifth Test match.
Playing XI: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland