Australia’s Beau Webster who bowled tight spells reacts on day 1 of the fifth Test against India in Sydney on January 3, 2025. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Beau Webster turned up at the press conference with a swagger belying a debutant’s nerves. But then he is 31 and has played a decade of first-class cricket. Hailing from Tasmania, the land of David Boon and Ricky Ponting, Webster has some history to inspire him further.

He did well in the fifth Test that commenced at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday (January 3, 2025).. He plucked two fine catches, bowled tight spells and saw a probable maiden Test wicket being dropped. Webster, though, seemed unfazed: “It was good to have my family here and to get the cap from Junior (Mark Waugh). Got some catches and that settled the nerves.”

Asked about the pitch, the Australian all-rounder quipped: “It seamed around all day and at times it was a bit difficult to control the seam. Would 185 (India’s total) be ideal, I don’t know what would be a competitive score. With (Jasprit) Bumrah around, it would be challenging for the batters tomorrow.”

Probed on the fiery climax of day one with Bumrah, Sam Konstas and Indian fielders involved in a tense exchange, Webster said: “Ah, we were at the change-room, and we saw him (Konstas) hit Bumrah over mid-wicket for four. It is no longer a surprise and we were like okay ‘so he is up and away’. The youngsters these days! He loves to have a chat.”

Published – January 03, 2025 02:05 pm IST