Every Ashes series seems to come with its fair share of selection headaches, and this summer is no different. Australia has a good problem on its hands: two high-quality all-rounders in Cameron Green and Beau Webster, both pushing hard for a spot in the top six. For years, Aussie cricket fans have cried out for genuine all-rounders who can bat, bowl, and hold their place as specialists. Now, suddenly, there might be room for two. But is the dream of a double-all-rounder top six actually realistic—or just a selection day fantasy?
Green’s Comeback and New Batting Identity
Let’s start with Cameron Green. The 24-year-old has already been through a rollercoaster in his short career. Back surgery last October meant he spent most of this year as a specialist batter, but it also gave him something he’d been searching for: clarity at the crease. During the West Indies series, Green seemed at ease at the No.3 spot, giving flashes of the talent Australia always knew he possessed.
Now, with his bowling slowly ramping up through the Sheffield Shield, Green is eyeing a return to the full package: a top-order batter who can send down crucial overs of seam. For the selectors, this is pure gold—someone who balances the side without looking like a compromise. If he locks in that No.3 role and bowls a handful of overs per innings, Green becomes almost undroppable.
Webster’s Rise and the Case for No.6
Webster’s natural slot is No.6, a position that traditionally demands flexibility. You need to rescue innings when the top order collapses, accelerate when a declaration looms, and chip in with the ball when needed. That’s basically Webster’s DNA. Factor in his sharp fielding and reliable hands, and you’ve got a player tailor-made for the demands of modern Test cricket.
But there’s a twist: if Green secures the No.3 spot, Webster isn’t necessarily surplus to requirements. He could be a fantastic addition to Green. If Australia has two bona fide all-rounders in the top six, that also means they can carry arguably one less specialist bowler, and have a bit more freedom tactically. Imagine going into an Ashes Test with a team made up of Cummins, Starc, Lyon, and Hazlewood, plus two seam-bowling all-rounders; England wouldn’t know what hit them.
Healthy Competition or Selection Dilemma?
That’s where the “healthy competition” line starts to feel like more than just a cliché. For the first time in a while, Australia’s batting depth feels genuinely competitive. Green and Webster might not always play together, but the pressure they apply on each other—and on others in the squad—only lifts the standards. And let’s be honest, selectors love having headaches like this. It means there’s no room for complacency.
Could Australia really roll into the Ashes with a double dose of all-rounder firepower in the top six? On paper, yes. What’s certain is that both men bring something Australia has craved: batters who can bowl without being liabilities. Whether they line up side by side or not, their presence is reshaping the way we think about the team’s makeup.
FAQs
1. Can Beau Webster play alongside Green in the top six?
Selectors could fit both in the XI, with Green at No.3/4 and Webster at No.6.
2. What makes Beau Webster a valuable all-rounder?
He contributes with the bat, bowls effectively, and is a safe fielder in the Test arena.
3. Has Green played as a full-time batter recently?
Yes, he focused solely on batting after back surgery and impressed at No.3 in the West Indies.
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