Beau Webster: Gloucestershire sign Australian all-rounder

Beau Webster starred with bat and ball for Essex in the One Day Cup last season

Gloucestershire have signed Australian all-rounder Beau Webster as an overseas player for the 2024 season.

A right-handed batter who bowls both right-arm medium pace and off-spin, Webster is eligible for the T20 Blast.

The 30-year-old will also be available for Gloucestershire's County Championship fixtures against Yorkshire and Glamorgan in June.

Webster, from Hobart, Tasmania, played eight matches for Essex in the One-Day Cup last season.

He was among the top 10 best-performing bowlers in the competition with 14 wickets at an economy rate of 5.47. With the bat, he scored 280 runs at an average of 37.14.

"I am really excited and very grateful for the opportunity to join Gloucestershire for the 2024 Vitality Blast campaign," Webster said.

"I'm looking forward to not only developing my game further in the UK but also to playing a part in helping the team win matches during my time here. I can't wait to meet my teammates and get started."

Webster started his career in 2014 at Tasmania, where he stills plays.

This season he has scored 554 runs at an average of 61.55 in the Sheffield Shield, second only to Cameron Bancroft in the run-scoring charts. The 6ft 6in all-rounder also has 13 wickets from seven appearances in Australia's first-class competition.

In the Marsh Cup 50-over competition, Webster has 247 runs from five matches at an average of 49.40 and also five wickets to his name.

Alongside his exploits for Tasmania, Webster also impressed in the recent Big Bash League with Melbourne Stars, scoring 262 runs at an average of 43.66.

Gloucestershire head coach Mark Alleyne said: "Beau is an incredibly well-rounded player who is experienced across all formats and offers a great option with both the bat and the ball.

"Beau is a tall, powerful player who can have a terrific impact on a game, and I'm really excited to have Beau join us for the Vitality Blast and to see him help win cricket matches for Gloucestershire."