BIG BEAU’S BRUSH-OFF
Stay-at-home Tiger tells Vics thanks but no thanks
HOMEGROWN Tiger Beau Webster looks likely to turn down a long-term deal from Victoria to stay with Tasmania.
Leading into the Sheffield Shield final against Queensland in Brisbane on Friday, in another tick for Cricket Tasmania Webster said he was poised to re-sign for the Tigers.
“Absolutely, I’m just in the contract negotiations now and I’m sure it will get done soon,” said Webster, 24. “It is pretty close. “It is always nice to be wanted by another state, it creates a bit of buzz, but I’m definitely happy in Tasmania and hoping to get a deal done soon.”
Webster fills many vital roles for the Tigers. He has batted everywhere from opener to No.7 this season, has equalled the record for most catches in a Shield season and is the side’s only spin option in a pace-heavy bowling attack.
After starting 2017-18 at No.7, he has returned to the top of the order, where he has made solid contributions, including a century.
“It was a bit different batting down at No.7 at the start of the season, a bit frustrating only batting once in a couple of games and a few not outs,” he said.
“Then I got slid up the order with the injury to Silky [Jordan Silk] during the Big Bash and it is something I’m a bit more comfortable with, facing the new ball.”
Webster has been through the dark days of the past two seasons and finds himself in his first Shield final.
He said the dramatic rise from consecutive wooden spoons to possibly the state’s fourth four-day title was down to the maturing of the younger players and the new coaching staff, headed by Adam Griffith. “In recent years we’ve had massive collapses and we’ve lost games in a matter of hours,” he said.
“There is no doubt we’ve still got in bad spots throughout the year but we’ve just been able to wrestle the game back to even and then go from there.
“That’s come down to having better plans and knowing what to do in those situations and thosehose plans come from the coaches. They have been fantastic this year.”
His 23 catches at second ond slip equals the Shield record for most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in one season, but he could have had the record to himself.
Last game against Victoria twice he snared offerings at second slip off Sam Rainbird’s bowling only for the umpire to signal no-ball.
“It is nice to have the record under the belt, albeit equal,ual, but I’m fine with Rainey,” he said.d “HHe saidid if he wasn’t bowling I’d only have about 10 catches for the year so it works both ways.”