Marsh axed from Test side as Webster set to debut in India finale

Beau Webster will make his Test debut for Australia at the SCG replacing Mitchell Marsh, who has been woefully out of form this summer.

Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed the team change ahead of the series finale against India.

After winning the Allan Border Medal in 2023, Marsh endured a 2024 to forget, averaging just 18.86 in 15 Test innings for the calendar year.

Marsh’s form has been particularly poor in the current series against India, where he has managed just one double-figure score in seven innings.

Making things even tougher for the 33-year-old is the fact that his bowling output has also been below par this summer.

“Mitchy, obviously hasn’t quite got the runs, or perhaps the wickets that he would have liked this series,” Cummins said on Thursday at his pre-Test press conference. 

“So we felt like it was time for a freshen-up, and Beau’s been with the squad. He’s been great. So 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 said Marsh was “totally understanding” of the decision to replace him.

“He knows he hasn’t scored the runs or taken the wickets that he would have liked. So that makes you vulnerable. 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’.

“I think, particularly here in Australia, I think when a batter misses out or gets dropped, it’s always seen as a big thing, but it’s not the case. 

“The way that Ronnie [Australian coach Andrew McDonald] and the selectors and myself look at it is, we love pulling a squad of players together who we think we can call on at different times. And we thought the time was right for Mitchy to have a freshen up and and miss this one. But it doesn’t mean that he won’t be back in that team at some point.”

Webster, 31, has played 93 first class matches for Tasmania. He averages 37.83 with the bat, having made 12 centuries with a career-best of 187.

The right-hander also has 148 first class wickets, having recently converted to bowling medium pace after formerly bowling off-spin.

Webster coming in for Marsh is the only change Australia has made to the side that won the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Veteran paceman Mitchell Starc has been named for Australia despite dealing with rib soreness during the fourth Test. 

Webster has averaged 57.1 in first-class cricket since March 2022, while also picking up 81 wickets at 31.7.

His inclusion will allow Australia to lessen the load on Starc, who bowled a combined 41 overs across two innings in the fourth Test.

Australia is poised to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from India for the first time in a decade after taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series. 

If India wins the final Test in Sydney to level the series, it will retain the trophy as the current holders.