BGT 2024-25: Ian Healy Supports Beau Webster's Inclusion in 2nd Test Against India
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Sydney, Nov 28 (NationPress) Former Australia captain Ian Healy has endorsed uncapped all-rounder Beau Webster's debut in the forthcoming pink-ball Test against India after he was included in the squad as a possible replacement for Mitch Marsh, who is currently handling an ankle issue.
Marsh experienced discomfort after bowling in the first Test in Perth, which resulted in a 295-run defeat for Australia, leaving them trailing 1-0 in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The veteran cricketer has shown his support for Webster, recommending that he be included in the playing eleven over Scott Boland, the fourth seamer. "I like that idea, but I don’t think he should just be a standby; he should be included directly. I don’t see the purpose of adding him to the squad unless he’s set to play. Replace the 12th man. You can drop Scott Boland and add Beau Webster,” Healy stated on SEN.
Webster has recently excelled in the two-match series against India ‘A. The 30-year-old all-rounder boasts over 5,000 first-class runs and nearly 150 first-class wickets throughout his career. This year in the Sheffield Shield, he has accumulated 303 runs at an average of 50.50 and taken nine wickets.
“He’s past his injury phases. He’s quite tall, standing at two metres, and he has excelled at every level – youth cricket, second XI, Australia A, and at the Shield level. He’s an all-rounder, reliable with the bat, performs well under pressure, and it may be the right moment for him. This could be a solution for a batting slot; if Mitch Marsh is fit, he could shift up, and then an all-rounder could come in,” Healy added.
Ben Oliver, the high-performance chief at Cricket Australia, mentioned that the playing XI might remain the same in Adelaide, but the selectors would make the final decision.
“I don’t anticipate any significant changes in our approach to the Test series. We have a very strong, experienced squad, but they will evaluate the conditions,” he remarked.
Australia is set to arrive in Adelaide on Monday, where they will utilize training sessions to acclimatize to the twilight conditions as game time approaches.
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.
The second Test between India and Australia is scheduled to commence in Adelaide on December 6.
