Beau Webster is proving himself to be a smart, mature cricketer who is not overawed by the Test arena – with a knack for match-winning moments. But what does that mean for Cameron Green?
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Beau Webster has made a statement at Lord’s that even when Cameron Green returns to bowling he will be hard to dislodge from the Australian top six.
The Tasmanian’s 72 – just like his half century on debut in Sydney against India – could be the difference between the two teams in the WTC Final.
Webster is a smart and mature cricketer who is not overawed by the Test arena and after four Tests he is making a habit of match-defining contributions – just as he did for Tassie in the Shield.
Kagiso Rabada was all over Webster like a rash early in his innings, but after he got a life on 8 when he should have been out lbw if only South Africa had reviewed, the all-rounder flicked a switch with his game.
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It was a lesson to other Australian batsmen about being proactive as South Africa were left to lament letting the slug from snug find a way.
“It was a bit annoying. He didn’t start off too well there. It looked like he was going to get out any ball but I guess his positive intent got him through,” Rabada said.
“Cricket’s a funny game. That’s just how it goes sometimes.”
But the thing with Webster is more often than not, it seems to go his way.
Many are predicting that Green’s return for bowling in the Ashes could spell the end for Webster, but this would be selling his ability and cricket smarts criminally short.
Imagine the flexibility in this Australian side if there were two all-rounders in the top six?
There were fears that the Shield might be Webster’s ceiling but he has simply transferred his nous in the domestic game to the highest level.
The simplicity impressed his batting partner Steve Smith.
“He’s done a terrific job. I think he was pretty annoyed at his first 30 balls today. He didn’t feel like he could spell bat for a little bit there,” Smith said.
“But things can turn around really quickly in England and I think playing in England actually suits him the way he scores his runs.
“He scores really square of the wicket so when the ball is swinging around it suits him. He gets it on the top of the bounce being tall and like I said he defends nice and straight and scores really square which I think is a good trait in England.”
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