Beau Webster called up to Australia squad as cover for Mitchell Marsh

Cricket Australia selectors, led by George Bailey, have added Beau Webster to the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after incumbent allrounder Mitchell Marsh pulled up sore during the Perth Test last week. Marsh was named the designated all-rounder in the squad after Cameron Green was ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He bowled 17 overs at the Optus Stadium, which is the highest for him in the last three years, and evidently, that was too much of a workload for him.

Later, coach Andrew McDonald admitted that the Western Australia all-rounder didn’t have the necessary workload coming into the series.

Meanwhile, this is the first opportunity for Webster in the Test side. This comes on the back of his excellent performance in the Sheffield Shield, where he became the first player after Sir Garfield Sobers to score more than 900 runs and take 30 wickets in a season, which he achieved in the 2023-24 season. 

In the ongoing first-class season, Webster has already scored 448 runs and taken 16 wickets, including knocks of 61* and 46* and figures of 3 for 19 and 3 for 49 against the visiting India A side this month. 

"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. To get the call from 'Bails' (selector 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."

Australia are still grappling with the possibility of playing Marsh as a specialist batter in the middle order for the Adelaide Test. If they decide to go another way, then one of Webster or reserve-batter Josh Inglis may take up his spot in the playing XI.

Australia squad for second Test: 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

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