Australia have added Beau Webster to the Test squad due to concerns over Mitchell Marsh’s fitness
Australia have added Beau Webster to their squad ahead of the next Border-Gavaskar Test in Adelaide due to fitness concerns surrounding incumbent allrounder Mitchell Marsh.
Despite head coach Andrew McDonald previously stating that the hosts would field an unchanged 13-man squad for the day-night Test starting December 6, Webster received his maiden international call-up.
Marsh, 33, experienced soreness following Australia’s 295-run defeat in the series opener in Perth, having bowled 17 overs—his most in a Test in three years.
McDonald later acknowledged that Marsh had not completed the necessary workloads leading into the series, especially after the team’s first-choice fourth seamer, Cameron Green, was ruled out for the summer due to a stress fracture in his back.
While Marsh is likely to retain his spot in the XI for Adelaide, he may be used solely as a batter, which would place additional bowling responsibilities on the frontline quicks, especially with the third Test in Brisbane scheduled just four days after the Adelaide Test.
Webster’s inclusion is a reward for his outstanding performances in first-class cricket over the past two seasons.
Last year, he became only the second player in Sheffield Shield history, after Sir Garfield Sobers, to score more than 900 runs and take 30 wickets in a single season.
This season, he has already scored 448 runs at an average of 56 and taken 16 wickets in first-class cricket.
His recent performances include scores of 61* and 46*, as well as bowling figures of 3 for 19 and 3 for 49 against India A.
“To get a few runs and wickets (for Australia A) was pleasing against a strong Indian side,” Webster said.
“Any time you’re playing ‘A’ cricket, it’s one step below Test level, so it does hold you in good stead.
Getting the call from ‘Bails’ (selector George Bailey) after the NSW game was a really proud moment, and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
With a tight turnaround between the Adelaide and Brisbane Tests, Webster’s role is seen as a cover for the middle-order, depending on the team’s selection choices.
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