Paine backs ‘Slug’ to seize Test chance

Tasmania’s former Test captain Tim Paine has backed Beau Webster to seize his Test opportunity, adamant he’s got his chance while at the top of his game. Read what the Adelaide Strikers coach had to say before Sunday’s clash with the Hurricanes.

Myra Aggarwal, 10, and Anvi Parekh, eight, with Tim Paine at Hobart Airport on Friday. Picture: Caroline Tan

Former Test captain and Tasmania product Tim Paine believes Beau Webster will use his long wait for a baggy green to his advantage, adamant he won’t be overawed by the big stage.

Webster on Friday made his Test debut on day one of the fifth Test against India on Friday, after two seasons racking up a bucketload of runs and wickets for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield.

Now Adelaide Strikers head coach, Paine arrived back in Tasmania on Friday before his side’s crucial clash with the Hurricanes in Hobart on Sunday night.

Having also spent time with Australia A as a coach this summer, Paine feels Webster might be the first of a handful of players given a chance in an ageing Test side in the not too distant future.

“It’s great for Beau, and for Tassie. To get a Tasmanian in the team is great for the sport in our state,” Paine said.

“We want as many Tasmanians as we can in the Test team. In terms of the team getting some new blood in, I think they’re always trying to.

“There’s been guys who have come in and out of that team. (Nathan) McSweeney’s one, (Matt) Renshaw’s been one, (Will) Pucovski had played before he retired.

“I was away with the Australia A squad through the winter and there is some real talent in those groups as well. There’ll be more in the next year or two.”

Paine believes Webster has the temperament and confidence in his game to seize his chance after he was picked to replace the dropped Mitch Marsh.

“Sometimes in cricket it takes a little bit longer to fulfil your potential,” he said.

“The best thing for Beau is while he’s debuting while he’s a bit older, he’s debuting while he’s playing his absolute best cricket. You coldn’t ask for anything better.

“I played a lot of cricket with Beau, he’s a ripping bloke and always a really popular teammate and a bit of a lad.

“He’s been doing it really consistently now for the past couple of years. At 31 you know your game really well, he knows how to prepare himself and he’s the sort of character that Test match cricket won’t overawe.

“We saw it this morning snaring a catch straight away, he’ll settle into Test cricket pretty quickly.

“Anyone as tall as Beau who can bowl, bat and field is a great skill set. For Tassie the last couple of years, he’s been super aggressive which suits the way they play.

“Coming up against a really good (Indian) attack, he’s going to have to put it back on them, but that’s what I think he’ll be planning to do.”

Tim Paine. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

The sixth-placed Strikers (2-4) will look to build on Thursday’s vital win over Melbourne Renegades against the second-placed Hurricanes (3-1).

Paine is hopeful skipper and dynamic opening bat Matt Short will recover from a broken toe he suffered in a loss to Hobart in Adelaide which has sidelined him for two games.

“Most of our games now are must win. It’s great to be home I must admit, but looking forward to Sunday night,” Paine said.

“Everyone in the BBL talks about the Hobart Hurricanes’ list being one of the strongest and it has been for a number of years, and when they put it together they’re hard to beat. We’ve already suffered a loss to them this year, and we’d like to get one back on them.

“We’ll see how our captain is. He’ll be touch and go, hopefully we can get him out moving tomorrow (Saturday), and if he pulls up OK we’ll play him.”