The Australian team has announced their playing XI for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar series which is set to be played in Sydney. The Baggy Greens have made a big change to their lineup by dropping veteran all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and handing Beau Webster his maiden Test cap.
Marsh has endured a tough series with his last five visits to the crease not resulting in any double-digit returns. He has also sent down just 33 overs and after pulling up sore post the Perth Test.
“Mitchy obviously hasn’t quite got the runs, and perhaps wickets this series. So we felt like it was time for a freshen up and Beau’s been great,” Cummins said on the eve of the Test.
“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 added.
Meanwhile, Webster has been sensational in first-class cricket since March 2022, averaging 57.1 while also picking up 81 wickets as well. Last year, the 31-year-old became the first player since West Indian legend Sir Garfield Sobers to score 900 runs and take 30 wickets in a Sheffield Shield season.
“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,” Cummins said.
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