Darwin Eagles star recruit and allrounder Beau Webster says playing in Top End can advance his claims to represent Australia

BEAU Webster knows how fast momentum can shift in cricket.And that is why he sees this season at Darwin Eagles as a crucial one when it comes to pushing his baggy-green hopes.

Tasmania allrounder Beau Webster celebrates a wicket during day four of the Sheffield Shield match between the Tigers and Queensland at Blundstone Arena on February 20, 2021. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

BEAU Webster knows how fast momentum can shift in cricket.

And that is why he sees this season at Darwin Eagles as a crucial one when it comes to pushing his baggy-green hopes.

The 27-year-old is a massive pick-up for the Larrakeyah-based club, and they are rapt to have him for the rest of the season.

That will begin with this Saturday’s Round 4 local derby against PINT at Marrara, both teams boasting two wins and one loss.

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Webster brings excellent recent form to the Top End.

In his last Sheffield Shield game for Tasmania, he made an assured 135 not out from 185 balls away to Western Australia at the WACA.

He then took 2-32 with the ball in the Warriors’ first innings, including the scalp of Australian Test representative batsman Shaun Marsh.

Webster’s contributions helped the Tigers to a 175-run win.

Tasmanian allrounder Beau Webster pulls against Western Australia at Blundstone Arena. Picture: AAP Image/Michael Dodge

“It (playing for Australia) is always in the back of my mind. I’m only 27 and a lot of guys debut late in their careers,” Webster, also a star with Melbourne Renegades, told the NT News.

“That’s always the end goal. And if I can string a couple of good seasons together, or even a couple of good months together with the bat, your name gets put up there.

“I’ll be looking to kick this next domestic season off with some form here, hopefully, and try to roll into the next first-class season.”

Indeed, Webster was super consistent during his first stint with the Eagles.

In 2019, he scored 132 and 100 not out against Southern Districts and Waratah respectively.

Webster finished that stint with 402 runs at an average of 67 from seven games.

He also took a very impressive 28 wickets at an average of 19.54 per scalp.

Melbourne Renegades’ Beau Webster hits through covers against Hobart at the MCG on January 26. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

Webster has the rare ability to bowl both pace and off-spin, and has been compared to Australian legend Andrew Symonds, who could do the same.

“I’ll be bowling majority spin up here and I’ll have a couple months off (pace) bowling and give the back a rest,” Webster said.

“I’m hitting the ball well. I’ll carry some form from my last game into the games up here. “The wicket suited me over there being a tall batter and at the WACA it’s quite bouncy.

“I made the most of it.

“I bowled off-spinners last time I was up here and I took a few wickets so I’ll be doing that again.”

The Eagles have had periods of inconsistency so far this season, despite their 2-1 record.

They were bowled out for just 81 on Saturday, which Tracy Village chased down for the loss of just two wickets.

And in Round 2, they lost seven wickets chasing their target of 156 against Palmerston.

But Webster is excited about the talented teammates he will line up alongside.

“We’ve got a good team. We’ve got Harry Chamberlain who’s come over from New Zealand and he had a really good domestic first-class season over there,” he said.

“And it’s good to see ZZ (champion paceman Luke Zanchetta) back, the old GOAT.”