By Jon Pierik
Test great Ian Healy has called for Beau Webster to be seriously considered for selection for the second Test against resurgent India next week after the hard-hitting all-rounder was drafted into a 14-man squad on Thursday.
Australia’s national selectors have shown faith in the team badly beaten in Perth, and hope for a quick rebound in the pink-ball Test.
In the frame: Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster could replace Mitch Marsh for the Adelaide Test.Credit: Getty Images
Selection chairman George Bailey announced on Thursday the same 13-man squad involved in the humbling 295-run defeat inside four days in the series opener at Optus Stadium, but have added all-rounder Webster as potential cover for Mitch Marsh, who is managing an ankle issue.
Webster could come into calculations for Marsh if the robust West Australian is unable to bowl the overs required of him. Marsh has ongoing ankle problems, which can mean he struggles to back up quickly with the ball, but he did contribute 47 with the bat in Australia’s second innings in Perth.
However, Webster impressed the national selectors during the Australia A series and looked the most composed batter, other than Perth Test debutant Nathan McSweeney. He is also an extremely versatile bowler, offering quality medium-fast bowling with plenty of height.
Healy said Webster should be seriously considered for a call-up, and not just as cover for Marsh.
“I like that, but I don’t reckon standby, get him in. I don’t really like just adding him to the squad unless he’s going to play, drop the 12th man. You drop [Scott] Boland out … and add Beau Webster,” Healy said on SEN.
“He’s through his injury phases. He’s massive, he’s two metres tall, and he’s performed at every level – youth cricket, second XI, Australia A and Shield level.
“He’s an all-rounder, he’s consistent with the bat good under pressure and it might be time. That could be the way that we fill in a batting position, Mitch Marsh moves up if he is injury-free and then an all-rounder comes in.”
Webster has 303 Sheffield Shield runs this year at an average of 50.50. He also has nine wickets.
He said on Thursday that Bailey had called him with the good news after play had finished in the Sheffield Shield match at the SCG on Wednesday, leaving him “stoked” with what awaits.
“To get the call from Bails at the end of the game was a really proud moment and I can’t wait to get stuck in,” Webster said.
“I have been in good form for a while now, and am hoping to carry that on and keep pressing my case.”
Captain Pat Cummins said after the Perth defeat that the selectors were likely to show faith in the team.
“I think after the Test you look at what you think your best match-up is [but] this is a sample size of one,” Cummins said.
“Four or five days ago we thought this was our best 11. So I dare say there won’t be many changes going into Adelaide, but I’m not a selector. I’m sure they’ll get together after the game. Got a bit of work to do over the next 10 days.”
Selectors appear likely to stick with Marnus Labuschagne at No.3, despite the Queenslander’s worrying dip in form.
Labuschagne has only 330 runs at 23 since Boxing Day last year. He made only two off 52 balls in the first innings in Perth, while in the second innings he shouldered arms to Jasprit Bumrah and was trapped lbw for three.
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has backed Labuschagne to remain at No.3.
“I know there’s a lot of talk about Marnus being dropped, but I hope they give him another crack,” Clarke said on ESPN’s Around The Wicket.
“I still think he’s our best option [at No.3]. I think he’s a very good player who’s out of form, but I think he can turn that around if he gets his preparation right and looks after his mind, probably even gets away from the game for a couple of days in the lead-up to this second Test.”
The Perth defeat was the first time Australia have dropped consecutive matches at home since the infamous South Africa series of 2016-17.
Australia will arrive in Adelaide on Monday, where they will use training sessions to adjust to the twilight conditions come game time.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
More to come
