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IND vs AUS: Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is being played between India and Australia. 4 Test matches of this series have been played and now the last and 5th Test will start in Sydney from January 3. In such a situation, Australia has announced its playing-11 for the Sydney Test. Australia has dropped all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and included Beau Webster in its playing XI. Australia captain Pat Cummins made this announcement while speaking to the press on January 2. 31-year-old Webster will make his Test debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on January 3.
Bad form got him out
The decision to exclude Mitchell Marsh is not a surprise. The 33-year-old all-rounder has scored only 73 runs in seven innings of four Test matches at an average of 10.42. Interestingly, 47 of these 73 runs came in the second innings of the Perth Test, when the match was already out of Australia's hands. Marsh could not do anything special in bowling as well. The fast bowling all-rounder took only 3 wickets in the Perth Test but could not take any wicket in the next three Tests. Fitness also became a big reason for Marsh's exclusion from the last Test. He could not contribute as much in bowling for Australia as was expected.
Starc is fully fit
The good news for Australia is that captain Pat Cummins has declared Mitchell Starc fit to take the field and hence he will open the bowling for the host team during the fifth Test. Starc felt pain in his back during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It seemed difficult for him to play in the last Test but now it is clear that Starc will be a part of the playing XI for the Sydney Test.
Australia's playing XI for the fifth Test against India: Sam Constastas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
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