Beau Webster's Stellar Performance Revives Australia in WTC Final Against South Africa
Webster's Key Role in Australia's Recovery
On June 12, during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final 2025 at Lord's, Beau Webster played a pivotal innings that helped Australia bounce back from a challenging start against South Africa. Coming in at a precarious 67/4, Webster displayed remarkable poise and aggression, scoring an essential 72 runs off 92 deliveries, which included 11 boundaries.
His partnership of 79 runs with seasoned player Steve Smith, who contributed 66 runs, shifted the momentum in favor of Australia after a strong opening session by the South African bowlers. Webster's proactive mindset and ability to handle pressure were crucial in propelling Australia to a first-innings total of 212.
After the day's play, Webster reflected on the fierce challenge posed by South Africa's bowling attack, stating, “I had a bit of luck in the first 20-30 balls. They really came hard at us, but I managed to get through that phase and put a total on the board.”
He also acknowledged the advantage of his experience in English conditions, saying, “I’ve played some County cricket here, which is a different level. Facing bowlers like Rabada and Jansen was tough, but I stuck to my game plan that has served me well for the past few years. I would be frustrated if I deviated from it.”
Webster mentioned making minor adjustments for the conditions, adding, “There’s plenty of assistance for bowlers. In the last session, the ball was still moving around. Starcy (Mitchell Starc) had it under control. The ball nipping up the slope is particularly challenging for batters.”
He also commended the Australian bowling unit for their strong performance in the final session, noting, “Our bowling attack has been consistently strong over the years. We know that if we don’t perform with the bat, our bowlers can certainly deliver.”
By the end of the day, Australia had managed to turn the situation around, leaving South Africa at 43/4, still trailing by 169 runs.