Australia forced to add Beau Webster to BGT squad as star player faces injury concerns

Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster is all set to earn his maiden Australia call-up for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India. Fox Cricket revealed that Webster has been included in Australia’s squad for the second Test against India at the Adelaide Oval.

This latest change came after Australia’s crushing 295-run defeat in the five-match Test series opener at Perth Stadium. Beau Webster has been named as injury cover for Mitchell Marsh, who experienced discomfort following the Perth Test and has been sidelined for the Day-Night Test.

Beau Webster joins the Australia squad for the second Test against India

According to News Corp, Beau Webster has been named in Australia’s Test squad as injury cover for the star all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who pulled up “sore” after the hosts’ embarrassing 295-run defeat in the first Test of the ongoing five-match Test series in Perth.

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Even after the Perth Test, Australian captain Pat Cummins also admitted to Mitchell Marsh’s discomfort and hopes he would be fine before the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. Cummins had said at the post-match press conference: “(Marsh) has been battling a couple of little niggles since the UK tour. He was a little bit sore towards the end of this Test match, so the next ten days he has a chance to freshen up and try to get it right. We’ll see how he goes.”

Meanwhile, the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is scheduled at the Adelaide Oval, starting on December 6, and all eyes will be on Beau Webster, who has been shining in the ongoing Sheffield Shield 2024-25—Australia’s red-ball competition.

Beau Webster and Josh Inglis in race to replace Mitchell Marsh in Australia's XI

Beau Webster could earn his maiden Test cap and become Australia’s 468th men’s cricketer during the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India at the Adelaide Oval. With a ten-day gap between the Perth Test and the upcoming day-night clash in Adelaide, Webster is in line to make his debut if Mitchell Marsh does not recover in time.

Josh Inglis, who is also in outstanding form in the ongoing Sheffield Shield, is another option to replace Mitchell Marsh, but his lack of bowling abilities boosts the Tasmanian all-rounder's chances to make his much-awaited Test debut against India at the Adelaide Oval.

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Webster offers a valuable combination of solid batting and handy off-spin, making him a versatile asset for the Australian cricket team. Hailing from Snug in southern Tasmania, Webster has emerged as one of the most consistent performers in the Sheffield Shield over the last two years.

Beau Webster's stunning red-ball stats make him favorite for Adelaide debut

Since the start of the 2022/23 season, Webster has amassed an impressive 1788 runs at an average of 51.08, including five centuries and nine half-centuries. He is only behind Cameron Bancroft in the chart of the leading run-scorer.

Additionally, the 30-year-old all-rounder has also proven his worth with the ball, taking 30 wickets at an impressive average of 29.30 last summer in the Sheffield Shield. In the recent Australia A vs India A four-day games, Webster showcased his all-round abilities by scoring 145 runs at an average of 72.50 and picking up seven wickets at home.

During the winter, Webster has further honed his skills with Gloucestershire in the County Championship, where he amassed 233 runs at an average of 58.25 and claimed 16 wickets at a remarkable average of 21.25. His career-best stats were 6/100 against Derbyshire.

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