'He just looked completely ready' - Ricky Ponting lauds Beau Webster after crucial knock in WTC final

Ricky Ponting praised Beau Webster after the all-rounder scored an important half-century in testing conditions against a strong South African bowling attack on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London on Wednesday, June 11.

Webster, who made his international debut earlier this year against India in Sydney, has already played some crucial knocks under pressure for the Baggy Greens. On Wednesday, he gave another excellent account of his temperament as he top-scored for Australia with a determined knock of 72 runs off 92 balls.

He looked fidgety at the start and got a lucky reprieve when the Proteas did not go for a review against him. However, once he got himself set at the crease, he played some delightful strokes, helping the defending champions get past the 200-run mark.

"He just looked completely ready. You take those 70-odd runs out, that scorecard looks a whole lot different,” Ponting told ICC Digital after Australia’s first innings.

He was able to go out there and maintain his own natural style of play: Ponting

Ponting highlighted how Webster didn't shy away from playing his naturally aggressive game, even when wickets were falling at the other end, and looked to put some pressure back on the opposition bowlers.

“I think that says a lot about how comfortable he is in his own game right now and even the comfort he has of being in the Australian middle order," the former Australia captain said.

“The thing I liked about that today was, although Australia were in a little bit of trouble, wickets were falling (Webster) was able to go out there and maintain his own natural style of play and play the way that he wanted to play and try and be aggressive and try and put some pressure back on the South African bowlers,” he added.