Akash Deep ruled out of Sydney Test; Australia hand Beau Webster debut after axing Mitchell Marsh
FirstpostAkash Deep has been ruled out of the series finale with a back issue while Mitchell Marsh has been dropped after scoring just 73 runs at an average of 10.42 in the first four Tests and had going wicketless since the series opener in Perth. While India pacer Akash Deep was ruled out of the ‘Pink Test’ with a back issue, with head coach Gautam Gambhir not naming his replacement in the XI right away, Australia opted to hand Beau Webster his international debut after benching out-of-form all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. The 28-year-old Bihar-born Bengal pacer had conceded 94 runs while collecting two wickets in the first innings in Melbourne before going wicketless in the hosts’ second essay, this time leaking 53 runs. The first thing he said, I can’t wait to see Beau go out there and give it a crack.” Cummins added that while Marsh was primarily included in the top six to shore up the batting, especially in the absence of fellow all-rounder Cameron Green, Webster has been included primarily for his superior bowling skills, especially with the likes of Travis Head and Steve Smith scoring the big runs.