Mitch Marsh dropped for the fifth Test against India to begin in Sydney on Friday, Beau Webster to make debut

Mitch Marsh has been dropped from the Australian XI for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting in Sydney on Friday with his poor batting and lack of bowling a factor in the call.

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Australian selectors have made the tough call to axe popular team man Mitchell Marsh for the Border Gavaskar Trophy decider, with Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster to make a shock debut in Sydney.

Captain Pat Cummins said Marsh hadn’t made the runs needed from him and selectors felt it was time for a freshen-up.

Beau Webster will replace Mitch Marsh in the Australian XI in Sydney. Picture: William WEST / AFP

Cummins confirmed that Marsh’s lack of bowling this summer has been a factor, with Australia wanting Webster’s reliable ability as a fifth bowling option, particularly with warhorse Mitchell Starc fighting through the pain barrier to play the fifth Test.

Marsh’s career is now at a crossroads aged 33, but Cummins insists it’s not necessarily the end for the West Australian who has been the glue of this highly successful Australian team.

Webster will become Australia’s second debutant in as many Tests, a tremendous reward for the 31-year-old Tasmanian who has starred for years in Sheffield Shield cricket as a batsman and also an all-rounder capable of bowling pace and spin.

“Beau has been in the squad for a few Tests now, Mitchy obviously hasn’t quite got the runs or perhaps wickets he would have liked this series,” Cummins said.

“We felt like it was time for a freshen up and Beau has been with the squad. He’s been great. It’s a shame for Mitchy because we know how much he brings to the team but feel like now is a good week for Beau to get the chance.”

Cummins said too much doom and gloom is made of batsmen being dropped in Test cricket, and he praised Marsh for handling his bad news well.

Sustralia is keen to harness Beau Webster’s reliable ability as a fifth bowling option in Sydney. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“He was totally understanding. I think his words were, ‘I’m not necessarily blindsided.’ He knows he hasn’t scored the runs or wickets he would have liked so that makes you vulnerable,” Cummins said.

“He’s really excited for Beau. The first thing he said was, ‘I can’t wait to see Beau go out there and give it a crack.’

“Particularly here in Australia when a batter misses out or gets dropped its’ always seen as a big thing but it’s not the case.

“The way that Ronnie (Coach, Andrew McDonald) and the selectors and myself look at it, we love pulling a squad of players together who we think we can call on at different times and we thought 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 that team at some point.”

Australia is in a unique position where a draw will be enough for them to win the Trophy, with India needing to win in Sydney to retain the trophy.

That may have influenced Australia into a more safety-first approach where a reliable back-up fifth bowler would be on hand should one of the quicks break down during the Test.

Marsh had only been used sparingly as a bowler during the series due to his own fitness restraints.

Mitch Marsh reportedly took the news of his axing well and was excited to see what his replacement Beau Webster could do. Picture : David Geraghty

“That was definitely a factor. It’s a short turnaround, I think it’s always nice to have a fifth bowler that perhaps bowls quite a lot for Tasmania,” Cummins said.

“So if we need to call on that we can.

“Firstly, if you’re going to bat six, you’re picked for your batting which I think (Webster) has shown in Shield over the last couple of years when he takes the game on and he’s really changed some games for Tasmania.

“I’ll sit down and work that out today. But particularly that pace bowling Beau is going to be handy but we’ve also got Nathan Lyon and Travis Head to bowl offies when needed.”

Marsh has chronic ankle problems which means he may never be able to bowl at full capacity again, but Cummins said that doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t play Test cricket again due to his proficiency as a batsman when in form.

“Not necessarily, we’ve spoken about it a lot. He was in the side this summer for being a top six batter,” Cummins said.

“That’s generally a guiding principle when picking the top order.

“I think when he’s at his best he gets in the side on his batting alone and his bowling is a bonus.

“Obviously we’ve got guys like Cam Green who will be back in the side at some point who offer some other bowling options so not necessarily (that Marsh would need to bowl).”