Australia Drop Mitchell Marsh for Series-Deciding Test Against India; Beau Webster Named Replacement

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Read Original Content: Australia Drop Mitchell Marsh for Series-Deciding Test Against India; Beau Webster Named Replacement

Australia made a major change ahead of the series-deciding fifth Test against India in Sydney. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh, struggling for form, has been dropped from the playing XI. Beau Webster, a seasoned domestic cricketer, will make his Test debut.

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc, despite dealing with a rib issue, has been retained in the team. He will partner with Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, and Nathan Lyon in the bowling attack.

Beau Webster Replaces Marsh

Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed the decision to drop Marsh, citing his lack of runs and wickets during the series. “Mitchy hasn’t performed as he’d hoped, and it felt like the right time to bring in someone fresh,” Cummins said.

Webster, aged 31, has been consistent in Sheffield Shield cricket. He offers both pace and off-spin options, which could be valuable if Starc struggles with fitness during the game.

Cummins praised Webster’s contributions to the squad and called the move an opportunity for him to showcase his skills.

Mitchell Marsh’s Test Career Under the Scanner

Mitch Marsh, 33, has had a challenging career in red-ball cricket since his debut in 2014. Despite his contributions in white-ball formats, he has struggled to cement his place in Tests.

With Cameron Green injured, Marsh returned to the Test team but failed to make an impact in this series. His exclusion raises questions about his future in Test cricket.

Webster is Australia’s third debutant in this series. Teenage opener Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney also made their debuts earlier in the series. Konstas impressed with a quickfire 60 in the fourth Test.

Australia lead the series 2-1. A win or draw in the Sydney Test would secure the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014-15 and confirm Australia’s spot in the World Test Championship final against South Africa.

Australia Playing XI

Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

Read Original Content: Australia Drop Mitchell Marsh for Series-Deciding Test Against India; Beau Webster Named Replacement

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