“He’s racked up some stats that only the great Sir Garfield Sobers has done” - Ex-Australia pacer backs playing 11 change for BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Former Australia pacer Damien Fleming has backed the only change for the Pat Cummins-led side for the fifth and final Test in Sydney, which gets underway on Friday, January 3. Fleming pointed out how Beau Webster, who replaced Mitchell Marsh in the playing XI, enjoys a stellar record in his first-class career.

He shared that the 31-year-old bowler scored 938 runs and bagged 30 wickets in the Sheffield Shield last season. Webster shares the record with the West Indies' legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers.

Fleming added that outgoing Mitchell Marsh looked clueless with both bat and the ball in the five-game series, managing three wickets and 69 runs in seven innings, especially with ace pacer Mitchell Starc under an injury cloud.

The 54-year-old wrote in his column for ‘The Roar’:

“Webster was Sheffield Shield cricketer of the year last year last season and he’s racked up some stats that only the great Sir Garfield Sobers has done with 900 runs and 30 wickets in a summer.”

Fleming continued:

“Beau Webster’s call-up for the fifth Test is the right move to give the team better balance for Australia’s mission to seal the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and seal a spot in the World Test Championship final.

"Mitchell Marsh has not been a factor in the series since he took a couple of wickets in the first Test and with the Aussies backing Mitchell Starc even though he’s under an injury cloud, Webster can provide more overs as the all-rounder,” he added.

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“He gives the side an injection of new blood” – Damien Fleming on Australia picking Beau Webster for 5th Test

Damien Fleming further believes that the pacer will provide a new energy to the side with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins stretching themselves for the fifth game in a row. He pointed out how ‘fresh face’ Sam Konstas delivered in the fourth Test in Melbourne, scoring a quickfire 60 in the first innings.

He wrote in the same column:

“Webster is not young at 31 but he gives the side an injection of new blood and they need that for this Test and then going forward, they’re off to Sri Lanka in a couple of weeks, so I think they’re going to need an all-rounder there because Australia won’t play more than two quicks.

"We saw what can happen last Test at the MCG when you bring in a fresh face who is eager to impress in Sam Konstas so I think this is a good move." he added.

Australia are already 2-1 ahead in the five-game series following their 184-run win in the fourth Test in Melbourne. They are eyeing for their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the last 10 years.