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Pads on, pads off: How Marsh was dropped and Webster called for SCG debut
By Tom Decent and Daniel Brettig
Pat Cummins has insisted Mitch Marsh’s Test career isn’t over after Australia made the call to drop the struggling all-rounder for the Border-Gavaskar series finale and replace him with tall Tasmanian Beau Webster, who has recent runs with the bat and can also bowl more overs.
After averaging 10.7 with the bat across the first four Tests of the series, Australian selectors felt compelled to dump the popular team man Marsh for the final Test of the series against India.
Marsh’s last five scores have been 9, 5, 2, 4 and 0.
Australia’s planning for the SCG game was interrupted on New Year’s Day due to the delayed arrival of head coach Andrew McDonald,who did not land until early afternoon. He then had a long discussion with Cummins at training.
The decision to swap in Webster for Marsh was conveyed to the two players once the Australian team had begun training at the SCG on match eve. Marsh walked out to the nets with his pads on, but did not have a hit once he was informed of the call.
“Particularly here in Australia, if a batter misses out or gets dropped it is seen as a big thing – but it’s not the case,” Cummins said moments later. “The way Ronnie [McDonald] and the selectors, and myself, look at it is we love pulling a squad of players together who we think we can call on at different times.
“We felt the time was right for Mitchy to have a freshen-up and miss this one. But it doesn’t mean he won’t be back in the team at some point.”
Webster, who had received a meaningful handshake from McDonald, then took Marsh’s place in the nets for his first hit as a confirmed Test cricketer. Marsh and Webster then left the SCG together after training.
“Mitchy hasn’t quite got the runs or perhaps wickets he would’ve liked for the series, so it felt like it was time for a freshen-up and Beau’s been great,” Cummins said. “So it’s a shame for Mitchy, because we know how much he brings to the team, but I feel like now is a good week for Beau to get a chance.
“He’s totally understanding. I think his words were ‘not necessarily blindsided’ – he knows he hasn’t scored the runs or taken the wickets he would’ve liked, so that makes you vulnerable. [I’m] really excited for Beau. The first thing [Marsh] said was, ‘I can’t wait to see Beau out there and give it a crack’.”
Webster, who will bat at No.6, has been one of the best players in the Sheffield Shield and can bowl both pace and off-spin if required.
From 93 first-class matches, Webster averages 37.83 with the bat and 37.39 with the ball.
“I don’t think I’d be standing here if I was still wheeling out the off-spinners. It’s a part of my game I’ve been really proud to develop in the last four years,” Webster said of his decision to switch to seam bowling for Tasmania. “It’s taken a lot of hard work early doors from being sore at the start and trying to get my body used to bowling a few overs here and there and then bowling lots more.
“Now it feels like it’s as important as my batting game and they go hand-in-hand if you’re struggling with the bat you can still contribute with the ball and vice versa.
“I’ve bowled anywhere from 25 in a day to 40-plus in a game. I don’t think my body’s restricted me in any way so far in the fast bowling department. I don’t hit the crease as hard as the big fast bowlers, but I can bowl long spells and have done for Tasmania. If they’re ever required for the national team I’d be more than happy to take it up.”
Cummins admitted that Webster’s ability to bowl more overs had been a factor in the call. Cummins also foreshadowed the return of Cameron Green later this year after back surgery.
“That was definitely a factor,” Cummins said of Webster’s durability with the ball. “Short turnaround, it’s always nice to have a fifth bowler that perhaps bowls quite a lot for Tasmania, so if we need to call on that we can.
“If you’re going to bat six you’re picked for your batting, which we’ve seen in Sheffield Shield the last couple of years when he takes the game on he’s really changed some games for Tasmania. But particularly that pace bowling is going to be handy.
“[Marsh] was in the side this summer for being a top six batter, so that’s generally a guiding principle when you pick the top order. When he’s at his best he gets into the side on his batting alone and his bowling is a bonus. We’ve got guys like Cam Green, who will be back in the mix at some point as well, who provide some other bowling options.”
Australian XI for SCG Test: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
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