Record slips through Beau’s fingers

A NO-ball has cost Beau Webster the chance of rewriting the Sheffield Shield record books, but the sticky-fingered slipper is almost certain to set a new mark by the end of the season.

Webster entered the showdown with Victoria at Blundstone Arena having netted 20 catches in 2017-18, needing another three to equal the most by a non-wicketkeeper in the competition’s history. It didn’t take him long to join former Test batsman Craig Serjeant (1981-82), Jamie Siddons (1990-91) and former West Australian skipper Adam Voges (2008-09) when he comfortably held offerings from Marcus Harris, Cameron White and Chris Tremain as the Tigers ran rampant on day two.

Then, 13 balls after becoming the fourth outfielder to reach the mark, Webster pouched Dan Christian when he edged Sam Rainbird to second slip. Unfortunately Rainbird had overstepped and was called for a no-ball, stranding Webster on 23.

But with potentially another innings left in this match, and the Shield final next week, should the Tigers deny Victoria an outright victory, the 24-year-old will be heavily favoured to move alone at the top.

Since the introduction of the Dukes balls post-Big Bash, Webster has snared 16 catches, all in the second slip position he has made his own, benefiting from the increased swing.

“You always feel like you are going to get them here at Bellerive. It was nice to get a couple and they were relatively easy catches,” Webster said.

“A couple of years ago I made a point that I wanted to be a really good slipper, and working with Dan Marsh and Luke Butterworth really helped with some technique things.”