Australia axe Marsh, call-up Webster for fifth India Test

SYDNEY: Out-of-form all-rounder Mitch Marsh was axed Thursday from Australia´s team for the series-deciding fifth Test against India in Sydney with Beau Webster to make his debut.

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc retained his place for Friday´s match despite carrying a rib niggle and will line up in the attack alongside Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon. “Mitchy obviously hasn´t quite got the runs or wickets he would have liked this series and felt like it was time for a freshen up,” said skipper Cummins. “Beau´s been with the squad and been great.

“It´s a shame for Mitchy because we know how much he brings to the team, but we feel like now is a good time for Beau to get a chance.” Marsh´s position had been under intense scrutiny after a poor series with bat and ball and his axing could potentially herald the end of the 33-year-old´s Test career.

After making his debut in 2014, he struggled to cement his place in the team and with the emergence of Cameron Green had been on the red-ball sidelines in recent years. He returned to the Test side when Green was ruled out of the series following surgery on his spine.

Cummins said Marsh, who remains a key figure for Australia in the white-ball game, took the news well. “He was totally understanding. I think his words were, ´I´m not necessarily blindsided.´ “He knows he hasn´t scored the runs or (taken) wickets he would have liked so that makes you vulnerable.” Tasmanian Webster, 31, has toiled for years in Sheffield Shield cricket and will be Australia´s third debutant in the series.

Teenage opener Sam Konstas was called up for the fourth Test in Melbourne, in place of Nathan McSweeney who had made his debut in the first Test in Perth but had a poor run and was dumped after the third in Brisbane.