Beau Webster may not have done much wrong in his recent Test career, but may still be the man on the chopping block as Cricket Australia searches for a way to re-energise a struggling batting order.
Australia’s batting blues in Darwin (and honestly, before this most recent series against Bangladesh, too) mean the selectors simply must shuffle things before the South Africa tour.
There had been several players under pressure before the two-Test battle with the Bangladeshi tourists, including Jake Weatherald — who has already been dropped — as well as Cam Green and Marnus Labuschagne.
The next man up is West Australia’s Cooper Connolly, who captained Australia’s under-19 side, can play with the bat, and bowls left-arm finger spin. He has been hot and cold through his career, but is highly regarded by the selection team despite not yet making a first-class century in green and gold.
Webster will have to make way for Connolly after Green secured his place in the eleven with a ton against Bangladesh in Test One, then 67 in the innings-spare victory a week later.
Comparatively, “Slug” chalked up 12, five, and zero, and took no wickets.
Australia’s next Test will start on October 9, when the South Africa tour begins.
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