"I think you still need a fifth bowler" - Australia head coach opens up on team combination after win in BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has weighed in on the current team combination, saying the team might need a fifth bowler. The statement came after Australia's 184-run win over India in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 on Monday, December 30. The hosts lead the five-match series 2-1, with one match remaining.

With Cameron Green sidelined due to an injury, Australia have struggled to find a fifth bowling option that would help them whenever Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, or Mitchell Starc needs rest. Skipper Cummins has used Mitchell Marsh as his fifth bowler and has occasionally tossed the ball to Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head to roll their arms over and get a breakthrough.

When asked about the bowling workload of Cummins and Starc in the post-match press conference yesterday (December 30), McDonald emphasized the need for a fifth bowling option in the team, saying (via cricket.com.au):

"I think the amount of overs that have been bowled in the series is probably going to be to a benefit to us, to be honest. I got asked the question leading into this game, 'Where are the quicks at?' I think they're in pretty good shape. The assumption is they recover from this one."

"India are probably very similar, albeit a heavier workload here. But across the entirety of this series, it's been relatively light, so I'd expect both attacks to be in decent shape to be able to press. Does that mean you need a fifth bowler? I think you still need a fifth bowler. But are you going to put a huge demand on the fifth bowler? Potentially not," he added.

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Australia strengthen their chances of a second consecutive WTC final appearance with a win in the BGT 24-25 4th Test

With a 184-run win in the fourth Test of the series, Australia have taken an unassailable lead of 2-1, with a match to go. That win has seen them stay put in the second spot of the World Test Championship table, with 61.46 points percentage.

Australia have won a Boxing Day Test against India for the first time since 2012. The two sides will now face each other for the final time in this series, with the fifth Test starting on January 3, 2025, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.