Cameron Green marked his return to bowling with an early wicket for Western Australia, while Beau Webster showcased his potential for the upcoming Ashes series by taking five wickets for Tasmania. This dynamic play unfolded during day one of the clash between WA and Queensland at the WACA.
Green, who has been recovering from a minor side injury, was back on the bowling front for the first time in 38 days. His last appearance was in WA’s season opener against New South Wales on October 4, where he bowled only four overs. On this occasion, the 26-year-old made an immediate impact, claiming his first wicket with just his 13th delivery. He successfully found the outside edge of Angus Lovell’s bat, finishing his initial spell with impressive figures of 1-7 from four overs.
Webster’s Five-Wicket Haul Enhances Ashes Prospects
Meanwhile, Beau Webster made a compelling case for his selection ahead of the first Test of the Ashes series next week. Playing for Tasmania against South Australia in Hobart, Webster took five wickets for 50 runs over 13 overs. His performance included the crucial wicket of Travis Head, followed by dismissals of Jake Lehmann (27), Nathan McAndrew (4), and Brendan Doggett (0). This achievement marked Webster’s fourth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
As the selectors weigh their options for Australia’s line-up in the opening Test in Perth on November 3, both Green and Webster’s performances will be under scrutiny. If Green can deliver around 15 to 20 overs, as expected by selectors, he is likely to secure his position in the team. However, Webster’s strong performance may put him in contention, although he could be the unfortunate player to miss out.
The focus now shifts to whether both players can find a place in the starting XI, which may depend on the opening partnership featuring Marnus Labuschagne. With the Ashes series just around the corner, every performance counts as selectors aim to finalize a team capable of facing off against England.
