Despite having already made some significant contributions in his Test career, Australian all-rounder Beau Webster is keen to establish himself once more as he competes for a berth in the Ashes squad. Beginning with a pivotal performance on debut against India at the SCG, Beau Webster has amassed four half-centuries in seven Test matches, helping Australia win the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
He then led the side in scoring in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s and scored fifties against the West Indies in Barbados and Grenada in difficult circumstances. He has moreover taken eight wickets and stabilised Australia’s slip cordon.
As England gets ready to play Australia, his selection for the Ashes is still up in the air despite these impressive performances. Cameron Green might return to his bowling duties if he is dropped; selectors may decide to move Green down the order from his current No. 3 batting position, where he performed admirably during the Caribbean trip.
“You have to struggle to keep your position when you’re at the top. Cameron Green, who batted at the top of the order [in the West Indies] and didn’t bowl, is one of the great cricket players in the nation. Since he will undoubtedly return to bowling this summer, my position as the all-rounder at No. 6 will be under a little more strain. According to ESPNcricinfo, Webster told reporters, “But I welcome it.”
“I think I’ve been in this situation a lot in my career, when I need to score runs in order to advance or remain with the team. Of course, it’s not strange. I’m excited to demonstrate my abilities at the [Sheffield] Shield level once more and, ideally, to start in the inaugural Ashes Test in Perth. This summer is going to be enormous. During those five tests, I have no doubt that the team will undergo some changes. “I’m just going to make every effort to be present for all five,” he continued.
After playing two more games in this season’s County Championship after the West Indies tour, Webster recently returned from a county stint with Warwickshire. After Sam Konstas’ dismal performance against the West Indies, a move down the order might leave a void in the top two batting spots, necessitating the addition of an opener to join Usman Khawaja.
Before the first Test, Webster can play in four Sheffield Shield games; the Ashes team will probably be decided after the third round. The selectors may have to make a tough choice on whether to include two all-rounders in the starting lineup if he finds form.
“With possibly all of the major boys participating in some of the Shield games, it’s going to be an exciting opening couple of rounds. There will be some extremely formidable Shield teams, which will only encourage better cricket.
Therefore, it would be thrilling for our lads to face several Test cricket players in the opening two rounds as well,” Webster stated.
“When there are a few chances for people to put their hand up and try to get a spot in that first squad and the team isn’t quite settled, it’s always exciting,” he continued.
The only thing that worries Webster is that he can’t turn his scores of fifty or more into hundreds. All of his half-centuries, though, occurred at pivotal times and had a big effect on Australia.
“I believe I’ve made some difficult runs. However, my name does not have a hundred next to it, even though I would have wanted to have one of them [half-centuries]. I thought I was hitting as well as I had in several of those innings. Considering what England might bring, I believe I have everything I need to win the Ashes this summer,” Webster said.
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