Aussie cricket fans have expressed their frustration after popular allrounder Beau Webster missed out on Test selection again for the MCG with Cameron Green moved down the order to No.7. This comes after Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting suggested Green needs time to shine with an extended run in the team.
Calls were growing for Webster to return to the Aussie Test XI at the expense of Cameron Green after Adelaide having not featured so far in the Ashes. Green struggled in the third Ashes Test having made a duck and seven.
Aussie cricket fans are feeling for allrounder Beau Webster who missed out on Test selection again for the MCG with cricket legend Ricky Ponting (pictured left) backing Cameron Green to shine with an extended run in the team. (Images: Getty Images)
However, Steve Smith confirmed Green would hold onto his allrounder role in the team for Melbourne even though he was shifted down the order to No.7. Todd Murphy also missed out with suggestions Australia will go with Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson on a green MCG pitch.
Green’s shift back down the order means he has batted at No.3, 4, 5, 6, and now No.7 across his last nine Test matches. The tall 26-year-old has struggled for runs and has only taken two wickets in the Ashes so far, despite bowling well.
But Webster could feel unfortunate having not played a Test so far in the Ashes, despite performing for Australia in 2025. Webster was introduced into the Test team last summer against India and went on to average 34.63 in seven matches across 2025.
He has also taken eight wickets at an average of 23.2. Green averages 34.04 in Tests overall, which isn’t exactly good enough for a batter in the top five of the order. Across the last seven Test matches, Green averages 22 with the bat. He also has taken two wickets at an average of 79.00.
Green will be feeling the pressure in Melbourne on Friday with runs expected of the 26-year-old when he comes in against a tiring English attack – with no Jofra Archer – at No.7. Webster could feel unfortunate if he doesn’t get a single Ashes Test, even though plenty are backing Green’s talent to shine through at some stage at home.
Ricky Ponting backs Cameron Green
After the third Test, commentator Gerard Whateley backed Green’s talent and claimed he wasn’t going to lose his place in the side. “In my opinion he’s in the phase where he’s under pressure to do the job, but he’s not under pressure with his place in the team,” Whateley said on SEN Radio.
And Ponting has echoed this sentiment. Speaking before the 12-man side was announced for the MCG, Ponting suggested the coaching staff are all behind Green and back his ability in the side. This means he needs to be given an extended run in the side.
“Talking to the players, talking to the coaching staff, they absolutely love what he brings to the group,” Ponting said on the ICC Podcast. “The biggest challenge he has is, he’s just got to find out the right way and right style for him to play, work out what’s going to work for him, and then commit to that and stick to it for a long period of time.”
Ponting added: “I think they will persist with him. I think they like the package too much.” While Ponting talked about Green’s talent, he did admit Webster has done very little wrong to miss out on selection once again.
“But the unfortunate player in this whole Australian summer so far has been Beau Webster. He didn’t do much wrong in the games that he played. Certainly, in Australia, in his debut game, he was very good,” Ponting added.
Cameron Green (pictured) has kept Beau Webster (pictured right) out of the Aussie Test XI.