Australia will hand over a Test debut to the allrounder Beau Webster for the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. Webster will replace Mitchell Marsh in the Playing XI, who has looked woefully out of form in the first four Tests.
Beau Webster's debut was confirmed by the Australian captain Pat Cummins, who spoke to the media on the eve of the fifth Test at the SCG. Cummins also provided a fresh update on the fast Mitchell Starc, who faced some injury issues in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
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Beau Webster has long been in Australia's set-up, eagerly waiting for an opportunity. He has been in form with both the bat and ball in the recent seasons of Sheffield Shield. Beau Webster was the highest run-getter in the last season with 938 runs at an average of 58.62.
The allrounder also picked up 30 wickets at an average of 29.30. Webster has played four first-class matches this season and scored 303 runs at an average of 50.50. He struck a century and a half-century. He has also picked up 9 wickets at an average of 37.88.
Beau Webster scored an unbeaten fifty for Australia A in the match against India A before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This knock came in the first four-day match in Mackay and also picked up 2 three-wicket hauls in the second match played at Melbourne.
Mitchell Marsh dropped after poor returns
Mitchell Marsh was in line to be dropped after his poor form with the bat in the ongoing series where he had scored just 73 runs at an average of 10.42. Pat Cummins revealed the reason for his ouster and accepted Marsh's disappointing returns with the bat.
"Mitchy (Mitchell Marsh), obviously hasn't quite got the runs, or perhaps the wickets that he would have liked this series. So we felt like it was time for a freshening up, and Beau's been with the squad. He's been great," Cummins told the reporters.
"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 (Webster) to get a chance," he added.
Cummins also praised Beau Webster for his excellent returns in first-class cricket. He claimed that it wasn't difficult to tell Mitchell Marsh about his exclusion as he was already aware of his poor returns.
"He was totally understanding. I think his words were, yeah, not necessarily blindsided. 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 said, I can't wait to see Beau go out there and give it a crack," Cummins revealed.
In the same press conference, Pat Cummins also confirmed that Mitchell Starc is fit to play in Sydney after the injury scare in the fourth Test. Starc suffered an issue with his rib/back during India's first innings of the match.
He had to leave the field midway but came back the next day to bat. Starc also bowled without any issues in the second innings which raised possibilities of his inclusion in the New Year Test.
With Mitchell Starc fully fit for his home Test match, Australia have a strong bowling attack which will be aiming to confirm its place in the WTC final and regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia Playing XI for fifth Test vs India
Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
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