Mitch Marsh: WA all-rounder dropped, Beau Webster in for Sydney Test against India

Australian cricket selectors and captain Pat Cummins have dropped Western Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh for the Sydney Test due to commence on Friday.

Marsh has reportedly been axed for the match against India at the SCG, with Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster set to make his debut.

After averaging 10.7 for the series across four Tests, Australian selectors have siezed the opportunity to blood a youngster in the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

Cummins told media on Thursday morning that he felt for Marsh, but felt the time was right to introduce Webster to the team.

“Mitchy’ obviously hasn’t quite got the runs, and perhaps wickets this series,” Cummins said.

“So we felt like it was time for a freshen up and Beau’s been great.

“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.”

Fast-bowler Mitchel Starc, who showed some signs of an injury niggle in the historic win over the Indian’s in the Boxing Day Test, has been cleared and will take his place in the team for the series finale.

The 34-year-old had scans on Wednesday, but received the all-clear to take his spot in a bowling line-up alongside captain Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, and Nathan Lyon.

More than an hour after the epic finish at the MCG on Monday, Marsh walked out onto the ground with two family members and took photos, seemingly knowing he might have played his final Test.

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

Last year, the 31-year-old became the first player since West Indies legend since Sir Garfield Sobers to score 900 runs and take 30 wickets in a Sheffield Shield season.

It will be the second-straight Test Australia have selected a first-gamer, following Sam Konstas’ memorable Boxing Day debut.

Cummins said Marsh understood the decision and wasn’t “blindsided” by it.

“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’,” Cummins said.

“Particularly here in Australia, I think when a batter misses out or gets dropped, it’s always seen as a big thing.

“But the way that (Australia coach Andrew McDonald), and the selectors and myself look at is we love pulling a squad of players together who we can call on at different times.”

Australia will regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15 if they win or draw the New Year’s Test.

Victory for India and a series drawn 2-2 would allow the tourists to retain the trophy, emerging with the spoils for a record-extending fifth-straight time.

A win at the SCG would book Australia’s spot in a second-straight World Test Championship final, after they beat India in the 2023 decider.

South Africa became the first team to qualify for the WTC final at Lord’s next year, by winning a dramatic match at home to Pakistan on Sunday.

The new look Australian Test side is likely to be: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

with AAP.