Sydney: Out-of-form all-rounder Mitch Marsh was on Thursday dropped from Australia’s squad for the series-deciding fifth Test against India in Sydney along with Bev Webster.
Pacer Mitchell Starc retained his place for Friday’s match despite a nibble in his ribs and will join Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon in attack. “Michy obviously hasn’t been able to get the runs or the wickets he would have liked this series and it felt like it was time for a refresher,” said skipper Cummins. “Beau has been with the squad and has been great.
“It’s a shame for Mitchie because we know how much he brings to the team, but we think now is a good time for Beau to get his chance.” Marsh’s position was under intense scrutiny after a poor series with bat and ball, and his 33-year-old Test career is likely to end with the ax.
After making his debut in 2014, he struggled to cement his place in the team and has been on the red-ball sidelines in recent years with the emergence of Cameron Green. He returned to the Test team when Green was ruled out of the series after spinal surgery.
Cummins said Marsh, a key figure for Australia in the white-ball game, took the news well. “He was completely understanding. I think his words were, ‘I’m not necessarily blind.’ “He knows he hasn’t scored runs or taken the wickets he would have liked to wear you down.” Tasmanian Webster, 31, has toiled for years in Sheffield Shield cricket and Australia in the series will be the third debutant player.
Teenage opener Sam Konstas was called up for the fourth Test in Melbourne in place of Nathan McSweeney, who made his debut in the first Test in Perth but had a poor run and was dropped after the third Test in Brisbane.