Beau Webster says he feels ready to bat anywhere for Australia, with a decade of state cricket preparing him for a potential Test debut in Adelaide.
Webster was officially called into the squad on Thursday, as cover for Mitch Marsh and his sore ankle following the 295-run defeat in Perth.
Marsh and Webster will both form part of Australia’s 14-man squad for the build up to next Friday’s Adelaide Test, with the West Australian’s fitness to be assessed.
Even if Marsh is deemed fit, Webster could potentially debut in Brisbane if there are workload concerns for Marsh given the short turnaround between matches.
Webster’s call-up marks his first into a senior national squad after he impressed with for Australia A earlier this month.
A late bloomer who will turn 31 on Sunday, Webster has made an irresistible call for selection in the past year.
He was the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield last summer, with 938 at 58.62 for Tasmania.
The right-hander has then backed that up against this summer, with 448 runs at an average of 56 across all first-class cricket this season.
He can also provide an option with the ball, taking 30 wickets for Tasmania last season while able to hit the pitch hard with his medium pace and bowl some spin.
Webster’s form has allowed him to move ahead of Aaron Hardie in Australia’s list of allrounders.
But it could also provide Australia with a number of options.
While Marsh’s fitness is the most obvious concern, Marnus Labuschagne will also enter the second Test under pressure following his run of low scores.
Webster has batted in the middle order recently for the Tigers, but has spent time in the top order and could loom as a handy replacement given his all-round ability with the ball.
“I would be comfortable to do whatever they require,” Webster said.
“I feel like I have done it all over the past 10 years, at the top or in the middle.
“But I dare say the role will be somewhere between that five or seven role with the bat and bowl some overs as well (if I do debut).
“Probably seam-up, we’ve got the spin department covered pretty convincingly with Nathan and a few other guys who bowl spin.”
Webster debuted in the Sheffield Shield back in February 2014, but had only really entered the Test frame ahead of this summer.
“If I do get a Baggy Green in the near future I feel like my last 10 or 12 years of playing Sheffield Shield will hold me in good stead,” he said.
“Sheffield Shield is very good cricket. It’s hard cricket. There are good teams, only six, so it is the best of the best with who is available.
“I’m not looking too far ahead, being added to this squad is one thing, debuting is another.”
Marsh’s soreness also highlights the absence of Cameron Green in Australia’s Test line-up, particularly given the length of India’s second innings.
The 33-year-old was asked to bowl 17 overs in Australia’s 295-run defeat at Optus Stadium, marking his heaviest workload in any Test since 2019.
Australia also had to turn to Labuschagne for 6.3 overs of spin and pace, the most he has bowled in any home Test since 2021.
