Australia has dropped all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for the fifth and the final test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in Sydney and it is confirmed by captain Pat Cummins that Beau Webster will make his test debut.
Mitchell Marsh’s Struggles In The BGT
Mitchell Marsh’s exclusion comes after a tough series in which he struggled with both bat and ball. In the first four test matches, Mitchell Marsh scored only 73 runs at an average of 10.42, with 47 of those runs coming in the second innings of the Perth Test, when the result was already decided. With the ball, Marsh bowled only 33 overs across seven innings (excluding a brief second innings in Brisbane) and since taking 2 for 12 in the series’ opening innings, his figures have been not up to the standards he has set—1 for 127 from his last 28 overs.
Webster’s Impressive Domestic Form
Beau Webster, on the other hand, has been in outstanding form in domestic cricket. He was the highest run-scorer in last season’s Sheffield Shield, scoring 938 runs at 58.62 and taking 30 wickets at 29.30. Only Sir Garfield Sobers has previously matched this remarkable achievement in Shield history. This season, Webster has continued his strong form, scoring 303 runs at 50.50, including a century and a half-century and taking nine wickets at 37.88 in four games. He has also impressed with a six-wicket haul in a 50-over game and with a solid show for Australia A against India A, making crucial contributions with bat and ball alike.
Decision Based On All-Round Capabilities
Mitchell Marsh’s exclusion, although the cricketer was extremely popular with the team and enjoyed a very close relationship with Pat Cummins did not take much to be decided. He also said that Marsh received all this without being shocked. He further added that his bowling skills weighed in this decision but certainly the batting form was the priority matter and Webster could bowl more number of overs more than anyone else.
Cummins Enthusiastic Over Webster’s Performances
According to Pat Cummins, Beau Webster had hardly worked with him before his time in the side however, was effusive in praising his performances both for Tasmania and Australia A. Captain Cummins cited that Webster did quite well and he was an excellent allrounder who suited this kind of pressure of international cricket.
Will adding Beau Webster in place of Mitchell Marsh have a more positive impact on the results at Sydney?
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
