Webster homes in on Shield fielding record

Beau Webster finds himself on the verge of an all-time Sheffield Shield fielding record and the towering Tasmanian believes a recent change to the competition is behind his remarkable run.

After collecting three second-innings catches in the Tigers’ nail-biting win over South Australia this week, Webster continued his near faultless fielding season by taking his 20th catch in the competition.

The 24-year-old now sits just three catches away from the single-season benchmark for outfielders (not including wicketkeepers) of 23 set by former Test batsman Craig Serjeant in 1981-82, matched by Jamie Siddons for Victoria in '90-91 and then equalled again by ex-Western Australia skipper Adam Voges in '08-09.

Former Tasmania captain Dan Marsh holds the Tigers record of 21, a mark displayed for all to see in the Blundstone Arena changerooms alongside of other major Sheffield Shield achievements on the Apple Isle.

Tasmania can all but guarantee a spot in the five-day Shield final with victory in their final home-and-away game, against Victoria in Hobart next week, meaning Webster could have two more matches to set a new record.

Incredibly, all 20 of his catches have come from regulation edges to the slips cordon, with all but one of them coming with the allrounder stationed at second slip. He took the other, off a Callum Ferguson miscue in November, at gully.

Webster can’t recall dropping any catches this season, but concedes he may have a missed a chance or two from flashing cut shots that were in his reach. Given he stands at 200cm tall, that reach extends much further than most other slips fielders.

He credits Redbacks batter Tom Cooper, who set a new South Australian record by pouching 22 catches last Shield season, with making him aware of the overall record.

"I didn't know until I spoke to 'Coops' after the game against South Australia just gone by," Webster told cricket.com.au.

"Then after the game against Queensland where I took six (catches) for the match, someone asked, 'are you close to Marshy's record of 21 for Tassie?' I said, 'actually yeah, I must be close'."

Many are quick to point out that records like these are more a reflection of a team's bowling skill than a fielder's ability, a fact Webster is quick to acknowledge in praising the likes of Sam Rainbird, Tom Rogers and Jackson Bird who have all taken more than 30 wickets this season.

But he also points to the introduction of the Dukes ball for the second half of the Shield season as a key factor in his catching spree.

Webster suggests the extra swing, both in terms of how far the ball shifts in the air and the length of time during an innings that it keeps moving for, means edges that might ordinarily go to the wicketkeeper or first slip with a Kookaburra ball have instead been coming his way.

"It just seems with the Dukes ball, the bigger they swing, the squarer they seem to go," Webster explained.

"Wadey (keeper Matthew Wade) has taken a fair few, Alex Doolan at first slip has got a couple as well, but the majority seem to be coming to second.

"Especially with the Dukes ball, with the extra swing, they just seem to be coming more regularly.

"The bigger the swing – especially up at the Gabba where I took a lot of catches - the majority of those went to second slip. Then at Bellerive with a bit in the wicket, the Dukes balls bring you into the game more behind the wicket.

"You've got to be more switched on throughout the whole game (in the slips) as opposed to the Kookaburra where there can be some dull moments in the game, there are periods where you might only have one slip in.

"But with the Dukes ball you feel like you're a chance to get a catch most deliveries."

An eventful summer for Webster saw him begin the season as a surprise omission from Tasmania's JLT One-Day Cup squad, taking up the chance to play for the Cricket Australia XI and promptly posting 121 in their shock first-up win over South Australia.

A few months later he found himself involved in a rare trade between Big Bash teams, with the Hobart Hurricanes sending him to the Melbourne Renegades in exchange for Wade.

Having broken through for his first Shield century of the summer with his 136 against NSW last month after being moved back up the order, Webster finds himself in good touch as the Tigers eye their first Shield crown in five years.

"It would be massive deal for the state," said Webster of Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield hopes. "Us and the Hurricanes are the only professional sports team in the state so all the locals are quite supportive.

"There were quite a few people on the last day of that Shield game (against SA) who came along to support.

"It's good to repay a bit of faith after five or so years in the wilderness where we haven't even come close to making the final.

"It's almost like a semi-final this week against Victoria, whoever wins this is a shoo-in to make the final.

"It's going to be a good game, that's for sure."