Allrounders Beau Webster and Cameron Green are expected to play together in Australia’s XI for the Darwin Test against Bangladesh, and it appears like they will do so in the medium term, pending form and fitness.
However, the contrast in their mental states as they embark on a massive year of cricket is remarkable.
Webster, a 32-year-old first-class journeyman with only eight Tests, believes he has established himself in Test cricket despite limited opportunities and early misgivings.
“I think the most important thing I’ve learned is that I’m good enough at this level,” Webster told reporters in Darwin on Tuesday. “You never really know.”
The question before being selected for that first Test was, “Do you feel ready?” Although I was probably bluffing, saying ‘absolutely’, at the end of the day, you probably don’t know until you get out there and face the bowlers from other countries and get put in situations with big crowds and big moments in games of cricket where you’re expected to perform.
“And I’d say it was the biggest tick over the last 12 months, where I’m sure that what I’ve done at the domestic level will translate to the international level, and hopefully it will continue and I’ll be able to contribute with bat and ball.”
Green, on the other hand, is 27 years old and has played 37 Tests in his six years of international cricket. He’s scored two Test centuries and taken five wickets.
He also has a far superior Sheffield Shield career batting record than Webster, despite Webster’s recent excellent performance for Tasmania, and Green continues to dominate whenever he returns at that level.
However, if you asked Green the same question about whether he feels like he belongs at the Test level, the answer might differ. Green walked laps with coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins on Tuesday.
According to sources within the camp, the chat was not unusual, and it appears doubtful that a selection surprise will occur before the first Test against Bangladesh on Thursday.
Green was the final man to bat in the session, and it is unclear where he will bat next, having batted at Nos. 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 in his previous nine Test innings.
Despite questions about Green’s role, Webster believes the two can play together on the same squad for a long time.
“Certainly, I don’t see why not,” Webster stated. “I’ve always said that in the previous 12 to 24 months, when these discussions come up, it’s clearly more beneficial to have more choices in the top seven with the ball, and I don’t view it as a direct competition.
I believe it only provides additional alternatives and benefits for the captain if we are clearly both performing with the bat, which is likely our core ability and what we can offer on the pitch. I enjoy playing with Cameron.
I enjoy having the options as well. If he or I are on with the ball, we can probably chop and change if the big three [fast bowlers] and the spinner require a chop-out or something.”
Aside from the Test team, Webster hopes the two may play ODIs together. Webster has yet to be selected to play an ODI. His total List A record is mediocre, both with bat and ball.
His List A career strike-rate with the bat of 80.03 is one of the most pressing questions about whether he can fit into a club that needs to replace Glenn Maxwell’s energy and adaptability.
However, as indicated by his development in first-class cricket from a middling record in the first half of his career to an amazing record in the second, he has made a comparable leap in List A cricket.
Last summer was his greatest season with the bat for Tasmania; he averaged 51.66, scored a century and two fifties in six innings, and struck at 95.67, in addition to his versatility with the ball.
Webster expressed interest in the chance after discussing it with the selectors. “There have been a few conversations, but nothing is concrete,” Webster added. “If you’re doing well in Tests, it’s likely that you’ll get a chance to play white-ball cricket.
I believe my form has been quite excellent for Tasmania in domestic white-ball cricket as well. So there’s that. I’d love to wear the country’s colours. Any opportunity to play for your country is a tremendous honour. Hopefully on the horizon. If not, I’m content just to be on the Test team.”
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