Paine backs Green over Webster for Australia’s Ashes opener
New Delhi: Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine believes Cameron Green should be preferred ahead of Beau Webster in Australia’s playing XI for the first Ashes Test against England, starting November 21 in Perth.
Both all-rounders featured together during the West Indies tour and the World Test Championship Final, though Green was used solely as a batter while recovering from back surgery. Now, with the 25-year-old ramping up his bowling workload, Paine feels he deserves to reclaim his all-rounder spot if Australia opt to play only one of them.
While Webster has been consistent across Australia’s last seven Tests, Paine said Green’s ceiling is simply too high to ignore.
Speaking on SEN Tassie Breakfast, Paine said, “I don’t find it surprising at all. When you pick a team, you think about what each player looks like at their absolute best — and if both are fit, you’re still going with Cameron Green.”
Paine, however, praised Webster’s progress, saying the Tasmanian has made remarkable strides to challenge Green for his spot. “Slug has gone from being probably the third or fourth all-rounder in Australia to genuinely putting pressure on Cam Green. That’s an amazing effort in just 18 months. And if Green doesn’t perform, Webster is right there ready to take over.”
While acknowledging Webster may find it difficult to miss out after a string of strong performances, Paine said it reflects the growing depth in Australia’s all-rounder department.
“Cameron Green is potentially a generational player who can transform the team’s balance — but he needs to deliver now. Slug has been outstanding for Tasmania and thoroughly deserves his place in the conversation,” he added.
Paine concluded that Australia are in an enviable position: “If Green can’t bowl, Webster is a perfect replacement. He’s averaged 35 with the bat and 23 with the ball in his opportunities, so leaving him out is never easy.”
Australia squad for 1st Test: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
