All-rounder Beau Webster is a late addition to Australia’s Test squad for the second Test in Adelaide. Australia are sweating over the fitness of Mitchell Marsh and Webster has been added as cover.
According to cricket.com.au, Marsh has pulled up sore after the first Test in Perth. The 33-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder bowled 17 overs across the two innings which is the most he’s bowled in a Test match since the start of 2023. Prior to this, he bowled 16 overs at The Oval last year. These are the only two instances of Marsh bowling more than 10 overs in a Test since returning to the side during the Ashes in England last year.
While his bowling has not been the best, Marsh the batter has been crucial for Australia. Since making his comeback in the third Ashes Test last year, Marsh is Australia’s leading run-getter with 803 runs (average of 44.61 with one hundred and six fifties). The next best is Usman Khawaja with 655 runs.
Webster could be a like-for-like replacement for Marsh. The Tasmania all-rounder has been very impressive over the last few years in domestic cricket. He used to bowl off-spin but has become a solid medium-pace bowler.
In the ongoing Sheffield Shield season, Webster averages 50.50 while scoring 303 runs and has taken nine wickets. His last outing against New South Wales saw him get scores of 61 & 49 apart from returning with figures of 3/81 & 2/25. He recently played a key role in Australia A’s series victory over India A. He got unbeaten scores of 61 and 46 in the two fourth-innings chases. Overall, he scored 145 runs in four innings. He also picked up seven wickets with the ball in the series.
Webster likely to remain with the squad even for the third Test
Webster highlighted the importance of performing for Australia A and how it is just one level below Test cricket. Hence, the experience holds him in good stead.
“To get a few runs and wickets (for Australia A) was pleasing against a strong Indian side. Any time you’re playing ‘A’ cricket, it’s the one step below Test level, so it does hold you in good stead,” Webster was quoted saying to cricket.com.au.
The 30-year-old also revealed that he is going to heading over to the squad as cover. However, with the short turnaround between the second and third Test, he is likely to remain with the squad.
“To get the call from ‘Bails’ (men’s selection chair George Bailey) at the end of the NSW game was a really proud moment and I can’t wait to get stuck in. There’s a tight turnaround between the Adelaide and Gabba Test so I think (I’m there) just to have some cover there for that middle-order role, whichever way they go,” Webster added.
Australia lost the first Test in Perth by a whopping margin of 295 runs. They’re 0-1 down and will be desperate to bounce back in the pink-ball Test which starts on the 6th of December in Adelaide.
