New Delhi: Australia will face India in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday, December 3. Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed one major change in the playing XI for the New Year’s Test.
All-rounder Beau Webster will make his debut in the last Test of the series. He is set to become Australia’s 469th men’s Test player. Webster replaced out-of-from Mitchell Marsh in the playing XI, who has struggled to make an impact with the bat and ball in the series.
Marsh has scored just 73 runs at an average of 10.42 in four Test matches. The pace-bowling allrounder took three wickets in the Perth Test but went wicketless in the next three games. Webster is a fast-bowling allrounder.
He has picked up 148 wickets in 93 first-class matches at an average of 37.39, including two five-wicket hauls. The Tasmania all-rounder has scored 5297 runs in the first-class circuit at an average of 37.83, including 12 centuries and 24 fifties.
“Mitchell Marsh obviously hasn’t quite got the runs, and perhaps wickets this series. 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” Cummins told reporters on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Fast bowler Mitchell Starc will play the New Year’s Test but is carrying a rib niggle. “He was never going to miss this one” said Cummins in the press conference emphasising Starc’s commitment to the Australian team. Australia lead the five-match Test series by 2-1 and will look to win the Sydney Test.
Australia’s Playing XI for Sydney Test
Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
Australia captain Pat Cummins has confirmed one big change in the playing XI for the fifth and last Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
