Kudos George Bailey, congratulations Beau Webster

Paul Ryan | January 02, 2025

Kudos to George Bailey and his fellow selectors for their willingness to make the tough decision to alter a winning side, selecting Beau Webster to make his Australian Test debut against India in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Webster replaces Mitchell Marsh, whose recent performances—scores of 6, 47, 9, 5, 2, 4, and 0, coupled with 33 overs bowled for one wicket across four Tests this summer—prompted the selectors to make the change.

Beau Webster’s selection is well-earned. During the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield season, he was the highest run scorer, amassing 938 runs at an impressive average of 58.62, including three centuries and five half-centuries. He also demonstrated his versatility by taking 30 wickets at an average of 29.30. The selectors have opted for an in-form batter who can contribute with both medium pace and occasional off-spin.

At 31, Webster is only six months older than Michael Hussey was when he made his Test debut in 2005, going on to play 79 Tests for Australia.

In Webster’s 159 first-class innings, he has scored 5,297 runs at an average of 37.83, with 12 centuries and 24 half-centuries. His innings-per-fifty (IPF) ratio stands at 4.42, comparing favourably with other batting all-rounders—Mitchell Marsh (IPF of 5.0 across 210 first-class innings) and Cameron Green (IPF of 4.0 in 96 innings).

Webster’s bowling adds further value to his selection. He has taken 148 first-class wickets at an average of 37.39.

Since the start of the 2022–23 Sheffield Shield season, Webster has scored 1,837 runs in 41 innings at an outstanding average of 51.03 with an IPF of just 2.93. These performances highlight his evolution into a top-tier, first-class cricketer.

Now, after a decade of honing his craft in first-class cricket, Webster’s patience, perseverance, and consistent performances have been justly rewarded with the honour of wearing the iconic baggy green. Congratulations, Beau Webster—go well.