One Day Cup: Beau Webster would love to come back to Essex

Beau Webster admitted he would love to return to Essex after a really enjoyable experience in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

The Australian all-rounder signed for the county at the end of July, having scored 567 runs and taken 18 wickets for Upminster in Hamro Foundation Essex League Division One.

And he made an impact with bat and ball for Tom Westley’s side in the 50-over competition, despite Essex finishing bottom of their group with only one win in eight matches.

Webster scored his second half-century as Essex suffered a last-ball defeat against Surrey on Tuesday, finishing with 260 runs at 37.14.

And he also picked up 14 wickets at 25.57 apiece, as well as five catches.

“I was happy with my game with 69 and then 2-35 with the ball. It’s turned a little bit here in the last few games so it was pleasing to get a couple of wickets,” he said.

“It’s been really enjoyable experience for me playing with Essex, they are a very good bunch of cricketers and I think there are a few with a very bright future here with Essex.

“Personally, I’d like to come back at some stage. I love Essex Cricket Club, I’m really close to a lot of the coaching staff and now a lot of the players and so I’d love to return, if there was an opportunity.”

Webster put on 109 for the fifth wicket with Noah Thain (63), before last man Jamal Richards (31 not out) helped lift the total to 259-9.

But Surrey appeared to be cruising at 227-5 as opener Ryan Patel hit a century, before Webster claimed his second wicket of the innings.

Ben Allison (2-46) dismissed Patel for 117 and Aron Nijjar (2-38) also struck as Surrey nerves jangled, but Luke Griffiths hit the last ball of the match from Aaron Beard to the boundary to condemn a youthful Essex squad to their sixth loss.

“It was a typical Essex performance where they (Surrey) seemed to be running away with it and then we took a late flurry of wickets to get back into contention and produce a really good game,” added Webster.

“But Patel batted really well for his century and hundreds win games of one-day cricket don’t they?

“The majority of these kids are between 18 and 21 and that’s the beauty of this competition, it gives those guys experience. When you are missing the likes of Dan Lawrence and Matt Critchley, these sort of guys, you can blood some young players and they can hold their head really high and have shown what a future Essex has got there.

“Charlie Allison has been excellent throughout the tournament and for an 18 year-old kid playing the way he does with his freedom in the Essex way is excellent. Noah (Thain) has had two similar knocks of 60 and 70 and they have both played beautifully. Luc Benkenstein is another one.

“Benny Allison, although he is a bit older, has shown what he can do with the ball today so there is some definite talent in the group and it’s been really enjoyable to see throughout this competition.”

Upminster have won one of the five games played since Webster’s exit – with two rained off – and fell to a second successive defeat at Fives & Heronians last weekend.

Essex staffer Feroze Khushi hit 110 off 79 as Fives piled up 295-9, with Nehal Butt (3-48) and Ollie Peck (3-82) having most success with the ball.

Kiran Kullar (35) top scored as Upminster were dismissed for 140 in 30 overs and dropped to seventh.

They visit Ilford for their penultimate fixture this weekend.