Ashes 2025-26: Tim Paine decides between Cameron Green and Beau Webster for Australia’s Perth Test against England

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The anticipation for the upcoming Ashes 2025-26 series is rapidly building, with the Australian cricket team facing a significant selection debate ahead of the first Test in Perth: who should secure the crucial all-rounder position? The contest pits the immense potential of Cameron Green against the consistent recent form of Beau Webster.

Green is transitioning back to a dual role after recovering from back surgery, which saw him play the recent tour of the West Indies as a specialist batter. This situation has forced selectors to compare Green’s potential as a ‘generational player’ with Webster’s solid performances in the opportunities he has been given. Former Australian captain Tim Paine has weighed in heavily, arguing that while Webster has impressed, Green’s higher ceiling and game-changing ability should give him the nod, provided he can prove his full fitness with the ball.

Former Test captain Paine stated unequivocally that the selection decision should be guided by a philosophy of optimism, prioritizing the player who offers the most impactful ceiling. He argues that even though Webster, nicknamed “Slug,” has performed admirably, Green’s potential impact on the team structure is simply too high to ignore if both are fully fit and competing for the same slot.

“I don’t find it staggering and I don’t think anyone should find it staggering. I try to select teams and coach teams optimistically and say right, ‘If this guy’s playing at his absolute best, what does that look like?’ I think if you were completely honest, and we love the big Slug, but if you’re picking between him and Cameron Green as the all-rounder if they’re both fit, I think right now you’re still going with Cameron Green. I think Cameron Green, we know he’s potentially a generational player, he can change the make-up of your team, but he’s got to go out and perform now if that’s the way they go.” Paine said.

Paine stressed that Green’s return to the bowling crease, confirmed by his recent spell for Western Australia, is the final hurdle. The decision ultimately rests on the selectors choosing the player who offers the greatest possibility of a match-winning performance.

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While Paine leans toward Green, he offered significant praise for Webster, highlighting the tremendous work the Tasmanian has done to even make this a national selection debate. Webster has moved from being a fringe player to one who is genuinely threatening Green’s spot, an achievement Paine commended as a positive development for Australian cricket.

“Slug has come from probably the third or fourth all-rounder in Australia to putting pressure on Cam Green for his spot, so that’s an amazing amount of work that he’s done in 18 months to close that gap and to have that conversation now. And if Cameron Green doesn’t perform, there’s a guy ready to step in to that place.” Paine concluded.

Paine also emphasized that the situation reflects the new-found strength in Australia’s all-rounder depth. He pointed to Webster’s impressive statistics – “He’s averaged 35 with the bat and 23 with the ball in the opportunities that he’s been given, so it makes it a difficult decision to leave him out of any team.” This competitive depth means that even if Green is selected, Australia has a proven and capable backup ready to step in should Green struggle with form or fitness.

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