After multiple calls by Aussie experts to drop him, the management seems to have finally woken up and taken a call on struggling all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. The 33-year-old has been dropped from the IND vs AUS final Test in Sydney and has been replaced by debutant Beau Webster — in a like-for-like replacement.
Mitchell Marsh Out, Beau Webster In
Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc has retained his place in the playing XI, despite rib soreness he suffered in the MCG Test last week. The veteran pacer underwent scans on Wednesday and received a clearance from the team, and will lead the pace battery alongside Scott Boland, and skipper Pat Cummins.
Coming back to Marsh, he has been poor with the bat — where he has returned with 9, 5, 4, 2, and 0, and has hardly bowled in the series. “‘Mitchy’ obviously hasn’t quite got the runs, and perhaps wickets this series,” Cummins told reporters on Thursday. “So we felt like it was time for a freshen up and Beau’s been great.
Mitchell Starc Gets Fitness Clearance
“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.” This is will be the second straight game where an Australian will mark a debut — in the MCG Test, opener Sam Konstas has started his Test career.
“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’,” Cummins said. “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.”
Australia XI: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
Editor's Pick
Cricket
Unpopular Opinion: Tactically sound Jasprit Bumrah just isn't India's long-term captaincy solution
Top Stories
