Oz aim to claim series, WTC final spot with win in 5th Test

The scenarios are clear-cut for Australia going into Friday’s final match of the five-Test series with India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

If the Australians win or draw the match they will regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15. A win by India and a drawn series at 2-2 would allow the visitors to retain the trophy for a record-extending fifth consecutive time.

But more importantly for Australia, a win at the SCG would book the team’s spot in a second consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final. Australia beat India in the 2023 decider.

South Africa became the first team to qualify for the WTC final at Lord’s in June by winning a dramatic match at home to Pakistan last weekend.

On Thursday, Australia allrounder Mitch Marsh was dropped for the final match against India, giving Beau Webster a Test debut. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc was also named despite dealing with rib soreness at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during Australia’s 184-run win ending Monday to take a 2-1 series lead.

The 34-year-old Starc had scans on Wednesday and received the all-clear to take his spot in a bowling lineup with captain captain Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, and Nathan Lyon.

Marsh had only been called upon for 13 overs in the past three Tests, with his pace appearing well down while not taking a wicket.

Debuting in 2014, Marsh has played 46 Tests for a batting average of 28.53, highlighted by three Ashes centuries. His bowling was also strong at the start of his career, with 51 wickets at an average of 40.41.

“’Mitchy’ obviously hasn’t quite got the runs, and perhaps wickets this series,” Cummins said on Thursday. So we felt like it was time for a freshen up and Beau’s been great. It’s a shame for Mitchy, because we know how much he brings to the team, but feel like now it’s a good week for Beau (Webster) to get a chance.”

Webster has averaged 57.1 in first-class cricket since March 2022, while also picking up 81 wickets at 31.7.

Last year, the 31-year-old Webster became the first player since West Indian legend Garfield Sobers in 1963-64 to score 900 runs and take 30 wickets in a Sheffield Shield domestic season in Australia.

Rohit opts out, Bumrah to lead India: The fifth and final Test will see a significant change in leadership for Team India. Test captain Rohit Sharma has ‘opted out’ for the crucial match, with pacer Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead the team in his absence.

Rohit informed head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar of his decision to sit out the series finale, prioritising the ‘best-team first’ philosophy in the match. Both Gambhir and Agarkar reportedly agreed to the move.

Speculation is rife that this could mark the end of Rohit’s Test career, as the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) cycle might not feature him in India’s long-term plans.

Rohit’s form in Tests has been underwhelming, averaging just 6.2 in the last three matches in Australia and 10.93 over the past nine Tests. These performances, combined with India’s struggles in the current WTC cycle, have put his place in the squad under scrutiny.

If this does indeed turn out to be Rohit’s final appearance in whites, the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne could turn out to be his last outing as India’s Test captain.

India’s lineup for the SCG clash will see multiple changes. With Rohit unavailable, Shubman Gill will return to the playing XI after being dropped for the fourth Test. Gill is expected to bat at No.3, while KL Rahul will open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, just like they did in the opening match of this series in Perth. Rishabh Pant, who has been a consistent presence in the middle order, will retain his spot in the side.

On the bowling front, Prasidh Krishna will come in for the injured Akash Deep, who was ruled out of the series finale on Thursday. Krishna’s inclusion adds a fresh dimension to India’s pace attack alongside Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Bumrah, who led India to victory in the series opener, will once again take on the captaincy role. His calm demeanour and tactical acumen earned him praise, with many considering him a natural leader on the field.

Agencies