Australian all-rounder Beau Webster is eager to establish himself once more as he competes for a position in the Ashes squad, despite having previously made some important contributions in his Test career. Webster has four half-centuries in seven Tests, including a significant performance on debut against India at the SCG that helped 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 he also hit fifty against the West Indies in Barbados and Grenada in tough conditions. In addition, he has taken eight wickets and provided steadiness in Australia’s slip cordon.
Despite these impressive performances, his selection for the Ashes remains doubtful as England prepares to trip Australia. If he is dropped, Cameron Green might revert to his bowling duties, with selectors considering shifting Green down the order from his current No. 3 batting position, where he performed well during the Caribbean trip.
“When you’re at the top level, you’re fighting to hang on to your spot. With all the wonderful cricketers around the country, and especially a guy like Cameron Green, he batted at the top of the order [in the West Indies], and didn’t bowl. He’s obviously going to be back bowling this summer, which is going to put a bit more pressure on my spot at No. 6 as the allrounder. But I welcome it,” Webster told reporters as quoted by.
“I feel like I’ve been in this position before a lot in my career, where I’ve got to score runs to either go to the next level or stay on the team. It’s certainly not unfamiliar. I’m looking forward to once again showing what I can do at [Sheffield] Shield level, and hopefully, lining up in that first Ashes Test in Perth. It’s going to be a massive summer. I’m sure the team’s going to change a little bit throughout those five Tests. I’m just going to do everything I can to make sure I’m there for all five,” he added.
Webster just returned from a county tenure with Warwickshire, where he played two additional County Championship games after the West Indies tour.
If Green is moved down the order, a vacancy in the top two batting spots may develop up, necessitating the presence of an opener with Usman Khawaja, particularly following Sam Konstas’ disappointing performance against the West Indies.
Webster has the option to play four Sheffield Shield matches before the first Test, with the Ashes selection likely to be decided after the third round. If he finds form, the selectors will have to make a difficult decision between including two all-rounders in the XI.
“It’s going to be an intriguing first couple of rounds with potentially all the big boys playing a few of the Shield games, too. There’s going to be some really strong Shield teams out there, which only promotes better cricket. So it’s going to be exciting for our boys to line up against a number of Test cricketers in the first couple of rounds as well,” said Webster.
“It’s always exciting when the team’s not quite settled, and there’s a few opportunities for people to put their hand up and try and get a spot in that first squad,” he added.
Webster’s only concern is his inability to convert his 50-plus scores into centuries. However, all his half-centuries came at crucial moments and made a significant impact for Australia.
“I feel like I’ve scored some tough runs. At the same time, there’s no hundred next to my name, which I would have loved to go on with one of those [half-centuries]. I felt like I was batting as good as I have done in a number of those innings. I feel like I’ve got all the tools to succeed this summer in the Ashes with what England are going to potentially bring,” Webster concluded.
India
