New South Wales 235 for 4 (Patterson 99, Webster 3-56) Tasmania 364 (Ward 92, Silk 74, Webster 61, Radhakrishnan 55) by 129 runs
If there are changes before the second Test in Adelaide, it is likely to be Josh Inglis who comes in as the current reserve batsman and puts pressure on Marnus Labuchagne.
But there are arguments to be made for Webster. The Tasmanian was the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield last summer, and his 61 on Monday helped take his red-ball season record to 401 runs at 57.29. Included here are unbeaten scores of 61 and 41 for Australia A against India A in the last month.
Webster raised his 50 off 66 balls on Monday after two covers went to the wind early in the day against Jackson Bird. Another boundary came from a clever paddle sweep off Adam Zampa, before being caught behind Bird shortly after lunch as part of a 3 for 0 collapse.
The other factor in Webster’s favor is the overs he can offer with the ball both as a seamer and a spinner. Bowling workloads have suddenly become crucial after Cameron Green’s injury and the use of Labuschagne to shoulder some of the load in Perth.
He caught Maddinson lbw for 34 on Monday with his medium pace, before Oliver Davies and Patterson were caught behind for 3 for 56. He also lost two catches off his bowling.
For now, however, Webster is resigned to the fact that Australia are unlikely to abandon their setup of three fast specialists and just all-rounder Mitch Marsh.
“They seem to be pretty traditional with three fasts, spin and off-roaders for many years,” Webster said. “Those three big quicks are very tough and bowl a lot of overs, and Nathan is incredible. [with his workload]. They usually go like this, I don’t see them going any other way.
“My input is if someone needs a break, or God forbid an injury. You never wish that on anyone. But that’s one way I could at least find my way into the team.”
Patterson is also starting to make something of a selection case, with this his fourth consecutive score above 50 since being called up to the New South Wales team.
A Test player who scored a century in his last match in 2019, the left-hander posted scores of 91, 66, 71 and 99 this summer.
Earlier, Sam Konstas had looked particularly good, covering anything too far from the boundary before curling in a sliced shot in the 39th minute.
