Young gun looking forward to drawing on experience of star international pair during BBL|06
Webster waiting for his chance
Emerging allrounder Beau Webster will have the opportunity to pick the brains of two proven international performers during this summer’s KFC Big Bash League.
The 23-year-old is yet to play a Twenty20 fixture for the Hobart Hurricanes, but he has started the Sheffield Shield season in fine form, logging 308 runs at 44 including a century against defending champions Victoria earlier this month.
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While Webster has fired with the willow, his off-spinners have garnered seven Shield wickets this year and he is hopeful that will help him gain selection during the BBL|06 campaign.
But Webster will have the company of Kumar Sangakkara and boom recruit Stuart Broad even if he is not selected – and he wants to take advantage.
Broad has drawn the ire of Australian crowds in previous years, but the England paceman looms as a key player for the Hurricanes, who finished seventh in BBL|05 with three wins.
The 30-year-old will add ample experience to the Hobart squad, having represented his country 56 times in T20 internationals and bagging 65 wickets at 22.93.
Broad has represented England in 101 Tests and 121 ODIs.
“It’s going to be awesome. He is a world-class bowler,” Webster told cricket.com.au.
“He will add another class with his bowling.
“I see myself obviously as a red-ball cricketer, but to learn off those guys, I definitely sit down and try and badger them as much as I can when it comes to T20 stuff.”
The Hurricanes had a busy off-season, also securing Hamish Kingston from the Adelaide Strikers.
The promising young paceman’s arrival was ratified after the third ever trade deal in BBL history was completed, with powerful batsman Ben Dunk departing to Adelaide.
Dunk topped the tournament run tally in BBL|03 with 395 at an average of 43.88 and was named Player of the Tournament.
Hobart’s bowling stocks have also been hit by the loss of Joe Mennie to the Strikers, while West Indies allrounder Darren Sammy’s contract was not extended, paving the way for Broad to put pen to paper.
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Hurricanes Cricket Manager Andrew Dykes has said securing a local talent was worth the trade-off.
“Hamish is a wonderful death bowler who performed really well at the most recent Matador Cup,” Dykes said last month
“We were really keen to add some extra depth to our death bowling in particular and as a bowling allrounder he provides us with more batting options in the lower order as well.”
Ben McDermott and Dom Michael are among those who could partner Tim Paine at the top of the order, with Hurricanes coach Damien Wright craving more flexibility.
Webster, who stands 201cm, is hoping he can earn a debut for the Hurricanes, who open their tournament against the Sydney Sixers away from home on December 23.
“I’ve been on the list for a couple of years. We’ve had a strong top order and a set top order, so if I do get a game it might be more around my bowling and bowling a couple of overs up top,” Webster said.
“We’ve just signed D’Arcy Short and he bowls spin as well, so it’s going to be hard to push my case for selection, but I’ll definitely be giving it a crack.”
The Hurricanes’ first match at home is against the Melbourne Stars on December 26.
“The guys love playing in Hobart and we always pack out the Blundstone Arena,” Webster said.
“I think it (the BBL) is just going to keep getting bigger and bigger by the sounds of it.”