Mystery surrounds Australian XI amid brutal Weatherald-Webster battle for final spot in first Test
Selectors have left Cameron Green hanging about his role in the first Ashes Test, as a battle between two Tasmanians for the final XI spot intensifies.
Australia’s brains trust was leaving it late to tell Cameron Green where he would bat in the first Ashes Test as the all-rounder declared he would be able to bowl as many overs as needed in the series opener.
Tasmanian teammates Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster were still believed to be waiting to find out which one of them would get the nod in Australia’s XI as decision time loomed for selectors ahead of the first Test starting at Perth Stadium on Friday.
Though there is still no official confirmation from the Australian camp, paceman Brendan Doggett is widely expected to make his Test debut on Friday in the absence of the injured Josh Hazlewood.
Fellow quick Jhye Richardson joined the Aussies at training on Tuesday as he prepares to play for a Cricket Australia XI against the England Lions later this week, with the door ajar for Richardson to feature at the back end of the Ashes.
Stand-in captain Steve Smith received some attention from a team doctor on his wrist during training but remained in the nets.
Green is locked into the side however, with the only question remaining whether he would bat at No. 3 or No. 6.
The West Australian said at Tuesday’s series launch event that he had not yet been told either way, but that he was expecting to be informed shortly.
“The people in charge I think met last night, so I’ll probably get told later today,” Green said.
“Whichever way they go, I think we’ve got a really great squad, a lot of great combinations to go with. So pretty easy either way.”
Should Weatherald be picked to make his Test debut, Green would move back to the No. 6 spot held by Webster. Since mid-2023, he has batted in every spot from No. 3 to No. 7 in Test cricket, and said he viewed his flexibility as a blessing.
“I’m just so grateful that they see me as someone who could do all those positions. I’ve moved around quite a bit in the Test team, but I think it’s probably how good the coaching staff is that it makes you feel really secure regardless of where you’re playing, regardless if you get moved around. Very fortunate that they think that way about me.
This Test will mark Green’s return to bowling in Test cricket for the first time since March last year. He missed all of last summer after undergoing back surgery, and then played as a specialist batter in the World Test Championship final against South Africa and three Tests in the West Indies.
Green bowled four overs in a Sheffield Shield match against NSW in October before side soreness ruled him out of a one-day series against India. But after bowling 16 overs for WA against Queensland in the fourth Shield round – taking 1-30 across both innings – he is finally ready to be unleashed again with the ball in international cricket.
“I think it’s been a really slow build,” Green said.
“Probably would prefer a few more competitive overs. But at the same time, I think it’s a double-edged sword. I think you come into a series so fresh. And I think, especially for a five Test match series, I think you want to be as fresh as you can by the back end.”
Green added that there would be no limits placed on his bowling loads.
“No restrictions. I think when you get into Test cricket, I think there’s no need for restrictions. See how the game goes and be happy to put my hand up whenever.”
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