BGT: Webster To Replace Marsh For 5th Test In Sydney

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BGT: Australia’s all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been dropped from the playing XI for the fifth and final Test against India in Sydney, with Bo Webster set to make his Test debut in his place. This change comes after a series of underwhelming performances from Marsh, both with the bat and the ball, which ultimately led to his exclusion from the squad.

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A Tough Call for Cummins and the Selectors

Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed the change in a press conference a day before the Sydney Test. He said that only one change had been made to the team, with Marsh’s place being taken by Webster. Cummins also confirmed that Mitchell Starc, who had been suffering from back pain, had recovered and was fit to play. It was not an easy call to drop Marsh, because he was a close associate to Cummins, not only on the field but even in life. According to Cummins though, Marsh understood the decision.

“Mitchell obviously hasn’t scored as many runs or maybe taken as many wickets in this series as he would have liked,” Cummins said. “So we felt it was time to freshen up and Bo is back with the team. He’s been fantastic.” He added that while it was unfortunate for Marsh, the selectors believed it was the right moment for Webster to get his opportunity.

Though he had his troubles, Marsh was still one of the popular names in the Australian team. And according to Cummins, Marsh was not really shocked by this decision and showed a great sportsman-like spirit. “He was fully understanding. I think his words, yes, were not particularly surprising. He knows he hasn’t scored the runs or taken the wickets he would have wanted. So it makes you vulnerable. Really excited for Bo,” said Cummins, which also meant he appreciated Marsh’s response to this situation.

Struggle at Marsh during Series

Mitchell Marsh‘s contribution in the Test series against India so far has been less than impressive. In the first four matches, he scored just 73 runs at an average of 10.42, with most of those runs coming in the second innings at Perth when the match was already out of the contest. His top score of 47 came when the game was almost over.

The Marsh brothers have been disappointed with the ball as well. Marsh bowled only 33 overs in seven innings throughout the series, except for the second innings in Brisbane. Since his initial strong outing of the series in which he took 2 for 12, his bowling has really gone downhill. In his last 28 overs, he could take only one wicket and conceded 127 runs.

With these dismal numbers, Marsh’s place in the side had been under the microscope of late, and his omission for the Sydney Test looked something of a certainty.

Bo Webster, Back in the Ascendency

As opposed to Webster, he has been almost unbeatable this season and would be a favorite to make a Test debut. The all-rounder enjoyed a remarkable run in domestic cricket, especially the Sheffield Shield in which he featured as the season’s leading run-scorer last season. Webster amassed 938 runs at a very impressive average of 58.62. He also bowled well, taking 30 wickets on an average of 29.30. The entire display of all-around performance was of historic significance; he was, after Sir Garfield Sobers in 1963-64, the only player to be capable of scoring above 900 runs and taking above 30 wickets in a Shield season.

He has been in excellent form this season. In four matches so far, he has scored 303 runs at an average of 50.50, including a century and a half-century. He has taken nine wickets in 96.5 overs at an average of 37.88 with the ball. Webster’s all-round ability and consistency for Tasmania have helped him find a place in the Sydney Test, where he is likely to make an instant impact.

Webster also performed well outside Tests. In a 50-over Dean Jones Trophy match, he took six wickets for 17 runs, and while playing for Australia A in his first four-day game against India A, Webster hit an unbeaten half-century. He repeated this feat when bowling three-wicket hauls in both innings of the second four-day match, played in Melbourne.

Sydney Test Team

With Webster now in the mix, the XI for the Aussies for the fifth Test match in Sydney looks like this:

– Usman Khawaja
– Marnus Labuschagne
– Steven Smith
– Travis Head
– Bo Webster
– Alex Carey (Wicket-keeper)
– Pat Cummins (C)
– Mitchell Starc
– Nathan Lyon
– Scott Boland

Webster’s first class will be another thrilling moment for him and for the whole team. It will be interesting to watch how he tackles the high level of pressure required in a test match, mainly after a bright domestic season.

Dropping Mitchell Marsh after a tough series is a huge change for Australia, but this also gives a chance to the emerging talent Bo Webster in domestic cricket to display his skills at the international level. Though the decision was not easy for either Cummins or the selectors, it is now Webster’s turn, and he can make a difference in the last Test against India in Sydney.

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