Glaring revelation behind Mitch Marsh’s downfall as he’s dropped for SCG Test

Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Travis Head are among a five-man group of players looking down at the axed Mitch Marsh.

Mitchell Marsh has been dropped for the SCG Test.

Aussie captain Pat Cummins on Thursday morning said it was a “shame” that Marsh has not been selected for the series decider in Sydney.

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Marsh had been under immense pressure after failing to deliver with the bat while also having his overs slashed as Australia’s fourth fast-bowling option since the start of the series.

Aussie selectors had been advised by Aussie cricket commentators to make the tough call on the popular Western Australian and, after weeks of debate, the call has been made.

Allrounder Beau Webster will replace Marsh in the Aussie XI when the fifth Test against India begins on Friday.

Mitch Marsh. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

Webster will be making his debut in one of the biggest Tests Australia has played in recent years with the Border Gavaskar Trophy on the line in the New Year’s Test.

Webster was only called back into the Aussie Test squad last week when wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis got injured.

Webster, 31, was the obvious option to replace Marsh having been the standout batter in the Sheffield Shield last season.

Averaging 58.62 with the bat, Webster also claimed 30 wickets.

The Tasmanian’s selection is the only change that will be made to the Aussie team with spearhead Mitchell Starc cleared to play, despite his massive workload throughout the series.

Marsh has tallied only 73 runs through seven innings at an average of 10.42, with a high score of 47 that came in the first Test in Perth.

His remaining scores at the crease have returned 6, 9, 5, 2, 4 and a duck. The paltry display with the willow is being further amplified by his struggles to have an impact with the ball in hand.

After bowling 17 overs in the opening Test and claiming 3/77, Marsh has only bowled 13 overs while failing to claim a wicket.

It has been a staggering fall from grace for Marsh, who won the Allan Border Medal last summer.

Cummins said it was a “shame”.

“Mitchy hasn’t quite got the runs, or perhaps the wickets, he would have liked in this series,” Cummins said in Thursday morning’s press conference.

Mitch Marsh. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

“Felt like it was time for a freshen up and Beau’s been with the squad, and he’s been great.

“It’s a shame for Mitchy. We know how much he brings to the team but feel like now’s a good week for Beau to get a chance.”

There is one glaring detail that shows why it was impossible for selectors to pick Marsh.

After just four runs and zero wickets at the Boxing Day Test, Marsh has fallen to No. 29 on the official ICC Test allrounder player rankings.

It means the “Bison” is currently Australia’s sixth best allrounder behind Cummins, Starc, Nathan Lyon, Cameron Green and Travis Head.

At the age of 33, Marsh’s Test career may already be over.

However, Cummins insisted the decision to axe Marsh does not mean he won’t return to the team.

“He was totally understanding,” Cummins said.

“I think his words were, ‘Not necessary blindsided’. He hasn’t scored the runs, or [taken] the wickets he would have liked.

“Really excited for Beau. First thing [Mitch] said was ‘can’t wait to see Beau go out there and give it a crack’. I think, particularly here in Australia, when a batter misses out or gets dropped, it’s seen as a big thing but it’s not the case.

Mitch Marsh at the Gabba. Picture Lachie Millard.

“The way that Ronnie (Aussie coach Andrew McDonald), myself and the selectors look at is we love pulling a squad of players together that we can call on at any time and we think the time was right for ‘Mitchy’ to freshen up and miss this one.

“But it doesn’t mean he won’t be back in the team at some point.”

After a thrilling Day 5 triumph in the Boxing Day Test, Australia only needs a draw in Sydney to claim the series.

McDonald suggested earlier this week Marsh’s position in the team was not in jeopardy.

A lot has changed in a few days.

McDonald insisted Marsh’s limited workload with the ball was not because he was playing injued.

“There’s no concern. And I think people have probably been reading too much into that,” McDonald said.

“We haven’t required him with the ball as often as what we would have thought.

“He bowled again (on day five). His speeds were up in the high 120s, there are no injury concerns there.

“So I think to sort of head down that angle is a little bit unfair.

“We just haven’t required him at certain times for whatever reason. So that’s more a tactical implementation, as opposed to a body.”

“He’s in a good space,” McDonald added. “Would he like better performances? There’s no doubt about that. Over four Test matches, he hasn’t been able to deliver at the level he would like and we would like. But yeah, I mean, he’s up and about.”

Originally published as Glaring revelation behind Mitch Marsh’s downfall as he’s dropped for SCG Test