Calls grow for AB Medal winner Mitch Marsh to be dumped as grim 40-year worst revealed

Calls are growing louder for reigning Allan Border Medal winner Mitchell Marsh to be dumped from Australia's men's Test team.

With the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar series potentially headed for a draw and the series squared at 1-1, the Sydney Test looms as a thrilling trophy decider.

And if Australia wants to nab the coveted silverware for the first time in a decade from India, many pundits believe selectors have to axe Marsh for the good of the team.

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The powerful all-rounder enjoyed his best stretch in the baggy green across 2023 and it earned him the biggest individual accolade in the Aussie game - he was a popular AB Medallist announced almost a year ago.

But his form since has deteriorated badly, to the point selection chief George Bailey will have some serious explaining to do if the 33-year-old does anything other than run drinks at the SCG later this week.

Marsh averages a measly 10.42 with the bat this series. It is the second lowest average by an Aussie batter in a home Test series ever (with a minimum of seven innings) - only Kim Hughes (10.12 in 1984-85) has worse.

His duck on Sunday when Australia desperately needed runs from him must be the final nail in his Test career.

His scores this series now sit at 6, 47, 9, 5, 2, 4, and 0.

He has also been virtually non-existent with the ball this summer, calling into question his status as an all-rounder.

If he wasn't so popular in the dressing room many believe he would already have been dumped, perhaps in lieu of newcomer Nathan McSweeney losing his spot last week after only three matches.

Sydney Morning Herald writer Andrew Wu says Marsh's spot in the team has become "almost untenable" and he's now merely a "walking wicket".

Aussie great Mark Waugh agrees with the masses and has suggested Marsh be axed in favour of debuting Beau Webster in Sydney.

In fact the only real public support Marsh has received is from former coach Justin Langer - who has a habit of sticking up for his mates and particularly those who hail from his Western Australia.

"I don't like the chopping and changing of Test teams. In that instance, it will be another change to the Test team. I don't think it will be a positive one. I think he should play in Sydney," Langer said on Seven.

Webster is the obvious replacement for Marsh if Australia does want another fast bowling all-rounder. He's been in the Test squad this summer.

But selectors could go in a different direction entirely and pick another bowler - given Mitchell Starc now looks injured - or a batter like McSweeney who showed enough in his three Tests to suggest he could make runs in the middle order.

Unfortunately batter Josh Inglis is no longer an option, having been released from the Test squad on Monday due to an injury while fielding.