“Beau’s got the golden hand”: Why Webster is ready for Test call-up

Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster has been called up to the Australian Test squad for the second test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

The 30-year-old is averaging above 50 with the bat in first-class cricket this season to go along with an average of 37 with the ball taking nine wickets.

Fellow Sheffield Shield teammate with Tasmania and Test cricketer himself, Matt Kuhnemann, feels Webster is ready to capitalise if his opportunity comes.

“I think Beau’s got the golden hand at the moment, bat and ball even in the field; he’s an excellent cricket,” Kuhnemann told SENQ Breakfast.

“He’s a great bloke off the field, so if the opportunity comes for Beau, I’m sure he’ll take it with both hands and do a great job for Australia.”

Webster played for Australia A in both matches against India A, where he scored 61* in Mackay and followed it up by taking six wickets in Melbourne.

Webster was also the catalyst for Western Australia's disastrous collapse of 8/1 in the One Day Cup in October, where he had figures of 6/17.

“Whenever you need wickets or runs, he’s sort of the one who puts his hand up every single time, it seems like,” Kuhnemann said.

“The way he’s played the last couple of seasons for Tassie in shield cricket has been incredible.”

The inclusion of Webster into the side suggests current all-rounder Mitch Marsh, who only bowled 17 overs across both innings in the first test, might not be fit for all five tests in the Border-Gavaskar series.

The second test between Australia and India begins next Friday at the Adelaide Oval; listen to it live on the SEN app.