The fifth and final Test is all set to begin this Friday in Sydney, and ahead of the same, both Australia and India have made significant changes to their respective lineups. Indian pacer Akash Deep has been ruled out of the ‘Pink Test’ due to a back issue, with head coach Gautam Gambhir yet to announce a replacement in the playing XI. In contrast, Australia has opted for Beau Webster, granting him his international debut after sidelining out-of-form all-rounder Mitchell Marsh.
Akash Deep, who played his first Test last year in the series against England, ended the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with five wickets in two games, at an average of 54. He was best in the second innings in Brisbane where he took 2/28, greatly helping to limit Australia to 89/7. He went for 94 runs for two wickets in the Melbourne innings and did not take any wickets in the second innings as he leaked 53 runs.
India, losing the fourth Test in Melbourne by 184 runs, trailing 1-2, may contemplate playing Harshit Rana for a third time in his debut international series or play Prasidh Krishna in the playing XI for the first time.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh faces the axe after a disappointing run, scoring just 73 runs at an average of 10.42 in the first four Tests. He has not taken a wicket since the series opener in Perth, prompting Australia’s selectors to seek new energy in the squad.
Beau Webster, hailing from Tasmania, steps in as a seam-bowling all-rounder. Having made 93 First-Class appearances in a decade-long domestic career, Webster led the run-scoring charts for the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield season, scoring 938 runs at an average of 58.62 and claiming 30 wickets at 29.30. This is a remarkable achievement, making him the second player in the history of the Sheffield Shield, after West Indies legend Garfield Sobers, to score over 900 runs and take 30 wickets in a single season.
Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed Webster ahead of the ‘Pink Test’ at the Sydney Cricket Ground while acknowledging Marsh struggles at both bat and ball. “Mitchy hasn’t quite got the runs or perhaps the wickets he would have liked this series, so it felt like a freshening up was needed. Beau’s been great with the squad,” Cummins stated.
Cummins said Marsh was understanding of the decision and was excited about the potential impact of Webster. “He knows he hasn’t scored the runs or taken the wickets he would have liked, which makes you vulnerable. But we’re really excited for Beau.”
The Australian captain explained the reason behind the change, saying that though Marsh was brought in to stabilize the batting, Webster’s bowling skills were much better, especially with key players like Travis Head and Steve Smith contributing a lot of runs. Mitchell Starc has been declared fit for the final Test, which will add strength to the bowling lineup.
