Marsh’s place in the side was under the microscope after a lean series with both bat and ball. He had scored just 73 runs at 10.42 in the first four Tests, 47 of them in the second innings at Perth when the game was already over. With the ball, he had bowled just 33 overs in seven innings of the series (discounting the brief second innings in Brisbane), and since claiming 2 for 12 in the first innings of the series, he had figures of 1 for 127 in his last 28 overs. .
In four matches this season, he scored 303 runs at 50.50, including a century and a half, and took nine wickets at 37.88 in 96.5 overs in four matches. He also took 6 for 17 in a Dean Jones Trophy 50-over match for Tasmania and made an unbeaten half-century for Australia A against India A in the first four-day Mackay and took two three-wicket hauls in the second in Melbourne. .
“Mitchy obviously doesn’t have the runs, or perhaps the wickets, that he would have liked in this series,” Cummins said in his pre-Test press conference on Thursday. “So we felt it was time to freshen up and Beau has been with the team. He’s been great. So it’s a shame for Mitchy, because we know how much he brings to the team, but we feel like it’s a good week now.” to give Beau a chance.”
Marsh’s popularity within the team and his close personal friendship with Cummins would not have made the decision any easier for either the captain or the selectors. But Cummins said Marsh was not surprised by the decision and accepted it enthusiastically.
“He was totally understanding,” Cummins said. “I think his words, yeah, weren’t necessarily taken by surprise. He knows he didn’t score the runs or take the wickets that he would have liked. That makes you vulnerable. Really excited for Beau. The first thing he said, I can’t wait. to see Beau go out and try.
“Particularly here in Australia, I think when a batsman misses or is bowled, it’s always seen as a big deal, but that’s not the case. The way Ronnie [Andrew McDonald] And the selectors and I see it like this: we love putting together a team of players who we think we can call on at different times. And we thought it was the right time for Mitchy to cool off and miss this one. But that doesn’t mean he won’t come back to that team at some point.”
Cummins was asked if Marsh needed to contribute more with the ball if he wanted to be retired, but the captain said his batting is the top priority.
“Not necessarily,” he said. “We’ve talked about it a lot. He was in the team this summer for being one of the top six hitters. So that’s generally a guiding principle when you pick the top order. [although] not always. I think when he is at his best, he stands out with his batting alone and his bowling is an advantage. “Obviously we have guys like Cam Green, who will also be around again at some point, and who provide other bowling options.”
“That was definitely a factor,” Cummins said. “Short changeup. I think it’s always good to have a sort of fifth pitcher. He pitches quite a bit for Tasmania. So if we need to fall back on that, we can do that. I think, first of all, if you’re going to hit six, you’re chosen for your batting, which I think he’s shown in the Shield over the last couple of years, when he takes over the game, he’s really changed some games for Tasmania, but I’ll sit back and sort that out today particularly on that pace of bowling, Beau’s going to come in handy. , and obviously we have Nath [Lyon]but also trav [Head] with some useful offices when necessary.”
Cummins said he had not had much to do with Webster before joining the team after the first test of this series. But he was impressed with his performances in Tasmania and Australia A, where he posted scores of 33, 61*, 5 and 46* and posted figures of 0 for 18, 1 for 51, 3 for 19 and 3 for 49 in the two wins. over India A in Mackay and Melbourne before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“It’s been one of those stellar performances for Tasmania with the bat or the ball, or in the field,” Cummins said. “He always seems to have a big impact. Quite aggressive. He can change the game, like we’ve seen Mitch Marsh, Trav Head or Alex Carey do in that middle order. And he’s been a great personality throughout the team. Even on Day Five there in Melbourne I was looking forward to getting on the field. It’s going to be great to see him make his debut. I really love what he’s brought to the team so far.”
Australia XI for the fifth test: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
Alex Malcolm is associate editor of ESPNcricinfo
