Fri Jan 03 06:44:14 UTC 2025: ## Aussie Debutant Webster Replaces Marsh for Crucial Fifth Test Against India
**Sydney, Australia** – Australia has made a significant change to their Test squad for the crucial fifth match against India at the SCG. Mitchell Marsh, whose recent performances have been underwhelming with both bat and ball, has been dropped from the team. His place will be taken by 31-year-old debutant Beau Webster, as confirmed by Australian captain Pat Cummins.
This marks the second consecutive Test featuring an international debutant for Australia, following Sam Konstas’ impressive performance in the Boxing Day Test. Webster, born in December 1993, earns his call-up after a stellar career in Australia’s domestic Sheffield Shield competition. Last season, he achieved a remarkable feat, becoming only the second player in history – after West Indies legend Garfield Sobers – to score over 900 runs and take more than 30 wickets in a single Sheffield Shield season. He was the competition’s leading run-scorer with 938 runs at an average of 58.62 and claimed 30 wickets at 29.30.
Webster, a Tasmanian, boasts impressive first-class statistics across his 93 matches: 5297 runs at 37.83, including 12 centuries and 24 half-centuries, and 148 wickets at 37.39. His experience extends to List A and T20 cricket as well. With Australia having a chance to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade, Webster’s inclusion adds an element of intrigue to the final Test.
First Piper 