Fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been named in Australia’s XI on Thursday for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, starting Friday at the Sydney Cricket Ground, despite carrying a rib niggle. The left-arm pacer will lead the attack alongside Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, and Nathan Lyon.
Starc bowled 41 overs in the fourth Test at Melbourne, which Australia won by 184 runs, securing a 2-1 lead in the series. However, he visibly struggled in the later stages of the match. Team management sent Starc for precautionary scans on Wednesday, which they described as “normal procedure.”
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Despite concerns over his fitness, captain Pat Cummins dismissed any suggestion of Starc being rested, stating, “He was never going to miss this one.”
A win or draw in Sydney would secure Australia’s first Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory since the 2014-15 series and confirm their place in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June against South Africa.
- Australia XI: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
Selectors also made a bold move by dropping allrounder Mitch Marsh, who has had a poor series, and handing Beau Webster his debut. Marsh struggled with both bat and ball, managing just 73 runs in four matches and bowling only 16 wicketless overs since returning from a back issue in the opening Test at Perth.
“Mitchy obviously hasn’t quite got the runs or wickets he would have liked this series and felt like it was time for a freshen up,” said Cummins. “Beau’s been with the squad and been great. It’s a shame for Mitchy, but we feel like now is a good time for Beau to get a chance.”
