What you said about Mitch Marsh being dropped from Aussie Test team

Aussie cricket fans have ruthlessly put a line through Mitchell Marsh’s Test career – while posing a question about the ageing team. HAVE YOUR SAY

“Thank goodness”, “about time” … but “where are the younger options?”

Aussie cricket fans have ruthlessly put a line through Mitchell Marsh’s Test career – while posing a question about the ageing team – after the out-of-form all-rounder was dropped for the series finale against India.

Selectors made the tough call to axe popular team man 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.

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.

News of Marsh’ dumping widely drew praise from readers, many insisting it was time for him to go.

Others, though, cast doubts about selecting another 30-something.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

About time!

Keith

About time although both biding time till Green returns as he is the one who should permanently get the spot, you could not pick Marsh as a batter alone as just not cutting it

MichaelD

About time

Dave

Sad day. Marsh is one of the best team members in my memory of test cricket. Awesome contribution Mitch.

colin

Thank goodness

Kathryn

Marsh’s lack of bowling was because he was’nt given the ball. Starky looked tired in the last test and Mash did look dangerous. Still his batting wasn’t up to scratch.

AlexW

Only a fool would think Marsh’s spot in the side was justified.

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

Can’t do worse

anthony

In the fair dinkum department Webster only has to bowl 5 overs and get 5 runs he’s in front and Marsh

Proud Ian A

A reward for good Shield performance and a consequence for poor form. How an Australian Test team should be picked.

Christopher

Mitch Marsh is one of my favourite players but I understand 100% why he was dropped. He’s had a solid test career but now it’s Webster‘s turn.

John

Almost no overs bowled and almost no runs scored. Can’t carry that against a good opposition.

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

There are alternatives

Robert

Had to happen but Webster is 31 so he’s no long term player especially as Green is likely to come back to the all-rounder role. The selectors should have given McSweeney at chance at six. The selectors should tap Khawaja and tell him to retire at the end of this test.

Gordo

While this is great for Webster and congratulations to him but why are we bringing in a 30+ aged player again? Surely there are younger options for the ageing Australian team …

Kevin

Don’t we have anyone in the mid to late twenties rather than a 31 year old

David

Surely Green comes in at number 6 to replace Marsh when he is fit. At 33 years old Marsh’s time is probably up.

Concerned

why select another players in their 30s. surely there are younger options. we must start planning and developing younger players.

Peter

It’s one of a number of changes we will undergo in the next 3 to 4 years. Usman will retire sooner rather than later and Smith, Starc, Hazelwood and Boland are not spring chickens as well.

Originally published as What you said about Mitch Marsh being dropped from Aussie Test team