‘More pressure on my spot’ - Webster 'welcomes' pressure for Ashes spot as Green returns to bowling

Published - 18 Aug 2025, 16:23 IST | Updated - 18 Aug 2025, 16:46 IST

Australian all-rounder Beau Webster is eager to prove himself once again as he vies for a spot in the Ashes squad, despite already producing some vital contributions in his Test career. Webster has scored four half-centuries in seven Tests, beginning with a crucial innings on debut against India at the SCG, which helped Australia clinch the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

He followed that with a top-scoring effort for the team in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s and also notched fifties in Barbados and Grenada against the West Indies under challenging conditions. In addition, he has claimed eight wickets and provided stability in Australia’s slip cordon.

Despite these strong performances, his selection for the Ashes remains uncertain as England prepares to tour Australia. If he is dropped, it could pave the way for Cameron Green to return to his bowling responsibilities, with selectors considering moving Green down the order from his current No. 3 batting position, where he finished strongly during the Caribbean tour.

"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 ESPNcricinfo.

"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 recently returned from a county stint with Warwickshire, where he played two more matches in this season’s County Championship following the West Indies tour. If Green is moved down the order, it could leave a gap in the top two batting positions, creating the need for an opener alongside Usman Khawaja, especially after Sam Konstas’ poor performance against the West Indies.

Webster has the opportunity to participate in four Sheffield Shield matches before the opening Test, with the Ashes squad likely to be finalised after the third round. If he finds form, he could leave the selectors facing a difficult decision over whether to include 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.