Beau Webster on PM’s XI selection, domestic form and dreams of playing for Australia: Part One

Domestic cricket’s most in-form player has revealed the reasons behind his stunning form and his excitement at being back in national selectors eyes. Read part one of a two part interview.

Tasmanian Beau Webster’s form for the Tigers has been rewarded with selection in the PM’s XI squad for a match against Pakistan in December. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Ask any avid watcher of the domestic Australian cricket scene who the country’s most in-form and improved player is across the past two seasons and chances are they’ll respond with the name Beau Webster.

While some may same it’s Cameron Bancroft, Peter Handscomb or a small handful of others, it’s hard to look past what the talented tall from the Apple Isle has produced with both bat and ball in hand over an extended period of time.

The Tasmanian all-rounder has put together an outstanding 24 months of cricket for the Tigers, highlighted by his 487 run and 11 wicket start to the Sheffield Shield competition this season.

Webster has been in outstanding form for Tasmania the past two seasons, a main reason behind their undefeated start to the Sheffield Shield season this summer. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

The 29 year-old has been building an imposing record across both the four-day and one-day formats that’s become far too good to ignore, with Australian selectors ending a seven-year gap between national representative honours for Webster last Thursday.

Selected in a strong Prime Minister’s XI squad to face Pakistan early in December, it’s a selection that is rightful recognition for a sustained period of matchwinning performances.

Fresh off his first century of the summer against NSW last week – that saw his Shield average soar to 94.4 – Webster said it was nice to be back in a national squad following a long break.

“Yeah it was really pleasing to be included given the quality that is in that team, Webster told The Mercury.

“There is a lot of test players and aspiring test players in there, so it’s really pleasing to be given a chance alongside those guys. I’ll just go about my business as I have done the last few years and try and post a good score.”

While some may think it’s been a full revamp of his game that has the all-rounder producing career-best numbers, Webster said it’s been much simpler than that.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve done too much different in terms of batting, it’s more about nailing down a game plan,” Webster explained.

“Wadey (Matthew Wade) was a massive help for me in terms of helping me identify my strengths and playing to those. I haven’t changed too much technically. I think it’s just a case of playing more games and not changing things too much, even if you get out early.

“I think definitely going away to England in the winter helps. I’ve always been a guy that likes playing over training and learning on the fly out in the middle. I feel like I get a lot more benefit out of that.

“And a case of getting older and knowing my game a bit more probably has to be included in that.

“I reckon if you look back on the numbers the last few years I always finish the season quite well but have been a bit of a slow starter, so it’s nice this year to flip that on its head and put some good performances up early.”

Webster’s personal form is somewhat reflected in the Tigers terrific start to the four-day season with Tasmania currently undefeated atop the ladder with a three win and two draw record.

And after losing a host of experience at the end of last season, many wouldn’t have predicted such a start.

But while he admits they might have surprised themselves, Webster said they were always well aware of the depth inside the four walls of Bellerive Oval.

Webster sits only behind Western Australia’s Cameron Bancroft for most runs in the Sheffield Shield across the last two seasons. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

“A little surprised I reckon but we always knew we had the depth there,” he said.

“With Gabe (Bell) and Lawrence (Neil-Smith) now leading the attack, we knew they were very good bowlers and would show that once they got a good run at it without injury and consecutive games.

“They’ve both been great, along with our young all-rounders. Mitch Owen and Bradley Hope have come in and we’ve been able to see what they can do with both bat and ball so it’s exciting to see some youngsters coming through.”

While the dreams of playing for Australia are seemingly as within reach as they have ever been for Webster, he understood there are plenty of others hoping the same boyhood dreams of pulling on a baggy green come true.

“I don’t think anyone that plays consistent Shield cricket for a couple of years is out of the conversation,” he said.

“I think if you can really nail down a spot in your state side and play well then people start talking.

“I’m under no illusions though that there is a lot of good all-rounders in Australia at the moment, so I can only keep doing what I’m doing and who knows what happens.

“I’m only 29, so I feel like I have a lot of good cricket ahead of me in the next five to six years.”

Part 2 of a wide-ranging interview with Beau Webster will be in Tuesday’s Mercury where he opens up on the departures from last season and Tasmania’s strong start to the season.