Crash Craddock reveals the winners and losers from Australia’s incredible series win over India

Australia’s selectors are perpetually under fire but they made two crucial calls which turned the series. But, ROBERT CRADDOCK writes, Australia’s drought-breaking win over India may yet claim some casualties.

Colin Miller did it. So did Adam Voges and Stuart Clark.

Now Beau Webster, Australia’s very own “Slug who slayed ‘em’’, has joined the list.

We are talking about seasoned, taken-for-granted Sheffield Shield performers who enter the Test scene without fanfare then surprise the world with their hard wired skills and being at peace with who they are.

In an era where everyone is obsessed about finding the shiny new wonder boy, what a joy it is to see an old-fashioned Sheffield Shield scrapper shine in such an historic game and hit the winning runs for the greatest moment of his life.

Webster’s success is a reminder not to underestimate the player who spent a decade searching for his game in interstate cricket then something went “click.’’

Beau Webster celebrates hitting the winning runs at the SCG. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

OH CAPTAIN

Hidden behind the tension of a day when Australia batted their way to victory lay an inspiring story of a captain who gambled on playing the long game and won.

As Travis Head and Beau Webster ended India’s decade long possession of the elusive Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Pat Cummins emerged from the dressing room looking as if it was never in doubt – which, of course, it was.

Jubilation was thick in the air after the victory – but so was relief.

When Australia lost the first Test in Perth and Cummins looked a bit underdone he copped heaps and the skipper and management were scolded but the plan was for him to warm into the series.

Sure enough, he did. There he was, on the final day of the final Test in Sydney, still powering along providing the key breakthroughs as he so often does in the fifth Test of series with an early edge off Ravi Jadeja, the man most likely to turn the game India’s way.

THE SELECTORS

Australia’s selectors are perpetually under fire but they made two key moves which enabled the home side to snatch the trophy.

Sam Konstas may have made only one substantial score but he rattled India in Melbourne and by the time they recovered the Test was gone.

And few judges expected them to sack Mitchell Marsh but Webster’s selection was one of their best choices in many years. He refreshed the team, caught bowled and batted well.

The panel were not perfect – Nathan McSweeney struggled – and they have some big calls to come. But this was a good series for them.

THE KONSTAS CONUNDRUM

Sam Konstas is still finding himself but is fearless and talented and gave the team the spark it was craving.

Australia, however, has to be wary about using him as an on-field pot-stirrer.

They sent out David Warner to do that role and almost ruined him even though Warner’s personality was more suited to the role than Konstas.

One of the worst mistakes a player can make is play beyond the bounds of their own personality.

The ‘attack dog’ role doesn’t sit comfortably with Sam Konstas. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

SCOTT BOLAND

Boland has to be in contention to start every Test Australia plays.

The big thing about him is that where the other tall timber in the pace attack often bowl over the stumps Boland’s skid more and bring so many dismissals into play. His success was not an accident. India spent an age talking about him at their team meetings. He rattled Virat Kohli.

MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE

His quest to make himself a better white ball cricketer has undermined his red ball clarity. He’s playing at balls he once left alone with a flourish.

Gully fieldsmen are on red alert for him now as his airy final day dismissal proved.

Averaged only 25 for the series but his three half centuries were decisive.