Australia announce playing XI for Sydney Test against India; star player dropped, 31-year-old to make debut

ustralia has officially announced their playing XI for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India. This highly anticipated match, which marks the conclusion of the series between the two cricketing powerhouses is scheduled to commence on January 3, 2025 at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

In a significant shake-up to their lineup, Australia has opted to make some bold changes for the final showdown in Sydney. Star player Mitchell Marsh has been omitted from the squad, with Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster set to make his debut in his place. This decision reflects the team's commitment to fielding the strongest possible lineup for this crucial match.

On a positive note, Australia's captain, Cummins has confirmed that premier fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been deemed fit to participate in the final Test. Despite battling a back issue in the previous match in Melbourne, Starc displayed remarkable resilience by delivering 16 overs in the second innings without any noticeable drop in pace. Although he only managed to secure one wicket, Australia emerged victorious in the Boxing Day Test against India, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Beau Webster who replaces Mitchell Marsh brings a wealth of talent and experience to the team. As the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season, amassing an impressive 938 runs, Webster's batting prowess is well-established. Furthermore, his recent standout performance in a one-day match against Western Australia, where he claimed six wickets for just 17 runs, underscores his versatility and skill as an all-rounder.

The decision to drop Mitchell Marsh was confirmed by Australian captain Cummins during a press conference held on the eve of the Sydney Test. Marsh's lackluster performance with the bat, scoring only 73 runs across four Tests at an average of 10.42, coupled with inconsistent contributions with the ball, prompted the selectors to make a strategic change in.

“One change. ‘Marshy’ misses out and Beau Webster is debuting. Mitchy hasn’t quite got the runs or the wickets that perhaps he would have liked in this series. It felt like it was time for a freshen up, and Beau has been with the squad and has been great. It’s a shame for Mitchy because we know how much he brings to the team, but we felt now’s a good week for Beau to get a chance,” Cummins said in the pre-match press conference on January 2.

Australia playing XI: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

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