All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the New Year’s match against India in Sydney, while Tasmania’s Beau Webster is set to become Australia’s 469th male Test cricketer this week.
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Speaking to reporters at the SCG on Thursday morning, Australia captain Pat Cummins confirmed that the hosts had made one change to their starting XI following the Boxing Day Test, with Marsh being axed ahead of the series finale.
The West Australian has struggled with bat problems throughout his Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign, with scores of 9, 5, 2, 4 and 0 since the series opener in Perth.
“Mitchy obviously didn’t get the runs and wickets he would have liked this series,” Cummins said.
“I felt like I needed a change of pace.
“It’s a shame for Mitchy, because we know how much he brings to the team, but I think it’s a good week for Beau to get his opportunity.”
Cummins declared Marsh, Australia’s leading scorer last summer and winner of this year’s Allan Border Medal, was unfazed by the decision.
“He completely understood,” Cummins continued.
“He knows he hasn’t scored the runs or wickets he wanted to, so it makes you vulnerable.
“(He) really likes Beau. The first thing he said was, ‘I’m looking forward to Beau getting out there and giving it a try.’”
However, Cummins was adamant that Marsh did not play his last Test match for Australia.
“Especially here in Australia, it’s always seen as a big deal when a batsman concedes a run or gets dropped, but that’s not the case,” Cummins said.
“We like to bring together squads that can be called up at different times and we thought it was time for Mitchy to have a change of heart and miss this game.
“But that doesn’t mean he won’t return to the team at some point.”
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Webster, a current player in the Sheffield Shield, has been Australia’s most consistent domestic red-ball cricketer over the past few years, averaging 57.1 with the bat and 31.7 in first-class cricket since March 2022. He took 81 wickets.
Last summer, the 31-year-old hit 938 at 58.62 in the Sheffield Shield, including three centuries, and took 30 scalps with seam and spin to help Tasmania reach the final. The only cricketer to have surpassed these figures in a Sheffield Shield campaign is West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers.
“He was one of Tasmania’s star players with the bat, ball or field,” Cummins said.
“He always seems to be very aggressive and very influential. (He can) change the game like Mitch Marsh or Travis Head or Alex Carey did in the middle order.
“He had great character within the team. Even on his fifth day in Melbourne, he’s itching to get out on the field.
“It will be really cool to see him debut. I really like what he’s brought to the team so far.”
Cummins confessed that Webster’s crafty bowling contributed to the decision. Marsh has bowled 16 wicketless overs since the pink-ball Test began at Adelaide Oval.
“That was definitely a factor,” Cummins acknowledged.
“It’s always good to have a fifth bowler who bowls quite a bit for Tasmania. So if we have to ask for it, we can.
“First of all, if you’re going to bat for six, you have to choose your batting. The form he has shown when he has started playing in the Shield over the past few years has really transformed the game in Tasmania.
“Beau’s low pace bowling will help.”
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Meanwhile, Cummins had nothing but praise for fellow speedster Mitchell Starc, who will feature in the SCG Test despite rib pain.
The left-arm quick, who was sent for tests on Wednesday, will overcome the pain in Sydney to help Australia regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has been in India’s possession for almost a decade.
“Wise character, just his resilience. He bowled at a speed of 145 km/h for 15 years and bowled a lot of overs,” Cummins said.
“You can’t do that without always dealing with other problems or frustrations. He just grits his teeth and carries on.
“He is the only player who refuses to rest or talk about substitutions. He just wants to go out and play for Australia.
“Even if he’s had a quiet game in the past and people are out to get him, he still wants to stop and play.
“I have a lot of respect for him from a bowler perspective.
“He is an absolute dream as a captain, because it feels like five different bowls in one.”
The fifth Test between Australia and India gets underway at the SCG on Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 10.30am AEDT.
Australia, who lead the series 2-1, have not lost a Test match at the Sydney Stadium since 2011.
Additional reporting by Dane Heverin
