Watch: Steve Smith’s masterstroke as 'pace all-rounder' Beau Webster takes wicket with off-spin

Australian cricketer Beau Webster, known as a pace-bowling all-rounder, surprised everyone by switching to off-spin during the second Test match against Sri Lanka. The all-rounder took a wicket in his first over as an off-spinner, marking a memorable moment for him in his first Test tour in Asia.

Webster began his Test career with an impressive half-century against India in January in Sydney. He made the most of his opportunity when Cameron Green was injured and Mitchell Marsh was dropped. He continued his impressive form during Australia’s Test series clean sweep against Sri Lanka.

Watch: Beau Webster Takes Wicket with Off-Spin

Steve Smith had instructed Webster to replace Matt Kuhnemann at the end of a spell and bowl off-spin. The 30-year-old responded well as he immediately struck with the ball in his first over.

He delivered a well-flighted off-break, and Ramesh Mendis edged the ball to Travis Head, who was at forward short-leg. Head completed the catch to help Webster secure his second wicket in Test cricket. The moment was celebrated by the Australian team.

7Cricket shared the video on its official X account (formerly known as Twitter) with the caption: "Beau Webster takes a wicket with his offies! Travis Head with the safe hands at bat-pad 🤲 #SLvAUS".

You can watch the video of the dismissal below:

Beau Webster's first Test wicket: Bowling pace

Beau Webster's second Test wicket: Bowling off spin

Versatility level 📈 pic.twitter.com/1u8Z0k1rAy

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 9, 2025

What A Masterstroke Again From Steve Smith! - Simon Katich

Former Test star Simon Katich, who was on the commentary panel, praised Steve Smith’s decision to bring in Beau Webster for off-spin, calling it a masterstroke. Katich highlighted that Webster generated extra bounce, which led to Ramesh Mendis edging the ball.

“What a masterstroke again from the skipper, Steve Smith!” Simon Katich said on Seven.

“Webster, just with the extra bounce and the height, it just grabs in the surface. [Mendis] just pushes at it, and Travis Head does the rest.

“Beau Webster loves it! He’s made a habit of this in Sheffield Shield cricket for Tassie, and now he’s done it for Australia.”

Beau Webster Did Not Bowl in the First Test in Galle

Webster was a part-time off-spinner for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield but switched to seam bowling in the 2020/21 season. His improvement as a seam bowler and strong batting form in recent seasons earned him a Test debut against India in Sydney, where he was selected for his skills both with bat and ball.

Webster did not bowl in the first Test in Galle but scored 23 runs off 50 balls as Australia posted over 650 runs and won by an innings. In the ongoing Test, he scored 31 runs as Australia reached 414 runs in the first innings.

Sri Lanka finished Day 2 with a 54-run lead but with just two wickets remaining. They were bowled out for 231 runs in their second innings, setting a target of 75 runs for Australia. The Steve Smith-led team completed the run chase to register their first series win in Sri Lanka since 2011.

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