Australia Calls Up Webster for Second Test Against India

Australia has included uncapped Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster in its squad for the second Test match against India in Adelaide. Webster represents Tasmania and the Melbourne Stars in Australian domestic cricket. The 30-year-old, recognized as the Sheffield Shield player of the year last season, is set to join the national team for the game commencing on 6 December. His first-class cricket statistics show an average of 38 runs with the bat and 37 with the ball. Webster’s selection aims to provide cover for Mitchell Marsh, who is currently dealing with fitness concerns after Australia’s loss in the first Test in Perth. The Tasmanian player, primarily a seam bowler who can also bowl off-spin, joins an otherwise unchanged squad as the home team seeks to level the five-match series. This week, while playing for Tasmania against New South Wales, he scored 61 and 49 runs and also claimed five wickets. Earlier this month, he accumulated 145 runs across two matches against India A, in addition to taking seven wickets at an average of 19.57. BBC Sport is providing ball-by-ball commentary and highlights of India’s tour of Australia. According to CricViz analyst Ben Jones, Webster has made a significant domestic impression, despite a general lack of other standout Australian performances. Over the last four Sheffield Shield seasons, he ranks as the fourth-leading run-scorer and is the only batter to maintain an average exceeding 50 after playing at least 10 matches. While spinners often face challenges in Australia, Webster’s recent record against them—an average of 172 over the past four years—is considered exceptional. He is described as a tall player who excels at pull shots (averaging 94) and cut shots (averaging 200) against fast bowlers. Jones further suggests that Webster could ease the pressure on Australia’s fifth bowling option, Mitchell Marsh, whose fitness issues persist. For Tasmania, Webster frequently bowls as the first change. In the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield season, he secured 30 wickets at an average of 29, employing a distinctive combination of seam and spin deliveries. County cricket followers might also recognize Webster from a brief period with Gloucestershire last season, where he averaged 58 runs with the bat across four County Championship matches and claimed 16 wickets at an average of 21. The complete squad includes: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, and Beau Webster.