Slug’s secret weapon proves he can’t be axed again; radical plan for Poms’ next great hope — SCG Test Day 4 Talking Points

Australia is in a commanding position as it seeks to wrap up a dominant Ashes 4-1 heading into the final day, but the emergence of a star of the future in Jacob Bethell has ensured they will need to secure victory.

On a day Beau Webster demonstrated again that he is too good to be left on the sidelines, Bethell ensured his maiden first class century will be one to remember with a remarkable performance at the SCG.

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England’s hopes of ensuring Australia have a nervous run chase rest on Bethell, who finished unbeaten on 142, but are tempered by the certainty captain Ben Stokes will be unable to bowl after he injured a groin in the infancy of the day.

England are 8-302 at stumps, leading Australia by 119 runs heading into the last day of the series.

See the Talking Points from Day 4 of the SCG Test!

WEBSTER A TRIPLE-EDGED WEAPON

As brilliantly as Beau Webster batted at the SCG on Wednesday, his deeds with the ball in the final session demonstrated why the Tasmanian should be in longer-term calculations.

A case could be mounted for Webster to earn selection as a specialist batter. And the comparisons between his deeds and Cameron Green’s potential will continue to occur.

But it is Webster’s ability to offer a part-time off-spinning option that is intriguing as Australia eyes off ending a drought that will stretch to 23 years in the subcontinent in 12 months time.

The Aussies have home series against Bangladesh in August and New Zealand next summer, along with a tour of South Africa, leading into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2027.

But Australian selectors must surely be tempted to advise Webster, who Fox Cricket expert Kerry O’Keeffe likened to former English great Tony Greig, to focus on his spinning rather than seaming given his height is sure to generate bounce in India.

“What a triple-edged sword he offers this team,” O’Keeffe said.

Given his skills, Webster would surely offer a complimentary role to an attack featuring Nathan Lyon, if fit and still playing, or either Todd Murphy or Corey Rocchiccioli if the great is retired, and left-handed spinner Matt Kuhnemann.

Webster’s ability to snare Harry Brook LBW and then Will Jacks in the same over regained the momentum for Australia and followed his deeds with the bat earlier on Day 4.

A commanding presence at the crease given his stature, Webster batted with the assuredness of a cricketer with complete confidence in his game.

That, former English captain Michael Vaughan said, is the primary difference at the moment between the Tasmanian and Australia’s incumbent all-rounder Cameron Green.

“Webster has played beautifully,” Vaughan said on Kayo Sports’ coverage of the Ashes.

“All the talk (has been about) Cameron Green and Beau Webster. Cameron is in the early stages of his career. (But) you look at Beau Webster (and) he has played a lot of cricket.

“He looks to me like he knows his game. He knows where he is going to look to score his runs. I think Cameron Green is probably not quite sure what kind of player he is.

“It tells you the more cricket you play, and he has played so much state cricket, he has played a bit of county cricket, now a bit of international cricket, he knows his game.”

The “Slug” from Snug scored his fourth half-century from seven Tests with an unbeaten 71 from just 84 deliveries at No.9 due to the use of Michael Neser as nightwatchman.

Given the manner with which he was handling an English attack minus the injured Stokes, he was probably robbed of a maiden Test century after running out of partners.

Admittedly this innings came against an attack that was worn down, and with Australia 106 overs into its innings on a batting-friendly pitch when the tall Tasmanian made his way to the crease.

But he made the most of the opportunity and it is worth noting he was able to handle tricky conditions in Australia and the Caribbean in his brief international career so far.

It followed a defiant 57 and unbeaten 39 on debut on a tricky pitch at the SCG a year ago against India, one that raised questions as to why he had been denied a chance for so long.

The same is true again this summer and much of the debate has surrounded Webster and Green, but in truth it could be argued the former should have batted in front of Josh Inglis in Brisbane and Adelaide.

It comes down to definition and perception.

Is Webster solely in the all-rounder category? Or should he be considered a legitimate batter who happens to be extremely handy with the ball as well?

If Australia can afford to deploy two wicketkeeper-batters, as they did when fielding Inglis alongside Carey in two Tests this Ashes, along with outings in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean, why couldn’t Webster play alongside Green more regularly?

That is a point made by ex-Aussie batter Simon Katich, who noted the retirement of Usman Khawaja gave both men an opportunity to press their claims in Test cricket later this year.

But he said Green had to work on his technique, noting he was struggling against the short ball.

“It’s an interesting one, because Khawaja is retiring. I still think there is a chance you could play both of them,” Katich said.

“I like what I saw from Green (day three). I didn’t like what I saw from him in Melbourne. But there are a few technical areas he needs to work on and if he can do that, I think he can come back a better player for it.

“I thought he applied himself well yesterday but to get out in that fashion, it’s technical. This has been ongoing … when he got hit in the head in Perth, that was a technical error there.

“That was, whatever it was, six weeks ago and it hasn’t been rectified, so I would question what is going on behind the scenes to help this young guy out.”

Webster is averaging 41.09 from seven Tests, which compares favourably to Green, who is averaging 32.33 from 37 Tests, and Inglis, who is averaging 26 from five Tests to date.

Green, 26, has the best first class average at 44, with Webster sitting at 37.5 and Inglis at 35.2.

Green can be venomous with the ball, as demonstrated when he smashed Jacob Bethell in the helmet, and Brett Lee believes he is capable of hitting 145km/h consistently.

But it has been a lean summer for Green, who has averaged 21 and taken just four wickets.

Adding insult to a dented confidence, he spilled a decent chance off the bowling of Michael Neser on Wednesday, in the process denying Steve Smith an even easier chance, but did rebound to take a magnificent catch to snare Jacks.

To be clear, Vaughan is a believer in Green, as he stressed to foxsports.com.au on Wednesday. And so too are former stars including Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke.

For all the bar banter and social media sledging of Green this year, and his failure to seize the day, Hussey and co are adamant the West Aussie will deliver for Australia.

“Cameron Green wasted a golden opportunity. Beau Webster took his opportunity,” Kerry O’Keeffe told Fox Cricket’s Ashes Daily.

“I think Cameron Green has a higher ceiling at Test level with the ball and the bat, but he’s now 30-odd Tests into his career and he averages just over 30 They’ll pick and stick, but he has to start delivering consistently and not getting himself out

“Webster sells his wicket dearly. Nakedly you’d think Green has more to offer (but) the onus is on Green to say ‘No, I’m the No. 6 in this side’. He looks as if he has that capacity, but he’s yet to fully nail it down.”

‘PLAYER OF THE AGES’: SMITH’S NOT GOING ANYWHERE

Retirement speculation has followed Steve Smith for several years.

The New South Welshman had a serious conversation with Australian coach Andrew McDonald about his Test future during the 2023 tour of India, agreeing to take things match by match.

Whenever he’s been asked about the prospect of retirement across the following 24 months, Smith has struck by that philosophy. Series by series. Match by match. Day by day.

But on the eve of the New Year’s Ashes Test in Sydney, he changed his tune. Pressed on the potential of playing the 2027 Ashes series in the United Kingdom, Smith spoke with enthusiasm about the future.

“I want to keep playing. I’m just enjoying it. It’s fun. I feel we’ve got a really good team,” he said.

“As an older player now, hopefully I can help some of the players coming through and help teach them the game of Test cricket. That’s my role now.

“I feel like I’m doing alright at the moment, I’m contributing and having fun so there’s no real end date for me.”

He, too, noted the retirement of Khawaja would lead to a drop in experience he was not keen to add to.

“With Usman (Khawaja) dropping off now, it’s one of our experienced players, so it probably wouldn’t be ideal if him and I went out this week,” he said.

During this week’s masterful century at the SCG, his 37th in Tests, Smith leapfrogged England legend Jack Hobbs to become the second-leading run-scorer in Ashes history. The only player ahead of him is Sir Donald Bradman.

Although he won’t reach Bradman’s Ashes tally of 5028 runs and 19 hundreds, Smith’s legacy as a modern great of the game is undeniable, a reputation he could enhance if he plays through to 2027.

“Smith is an extraordinary player, and has been for 14 years,” O’Keeffe told Fox Sports News’ Ashes Daily.

“His hand-eye coordination is the best I’ve ever seen. It’s extraordinary how he sights the ball. He only has eyes for that red six-stitcher. He’a absolute consumed with what that ball is doing. He’s a player of the ages.”

Australia is scheduled to play 20 Tests from August this year until the end of the 2027 Ashes. If Smith continues, Ricky Ponting’s national record of 41 Test hundreds could be in jeopardy.

Asked about Smith’s renewed enthusiasm for Tests on Tuesday, fellow Sydney centurion Travis Head quipped with tongue in cheek; “A couple hundreds last summer got him, perked … up?”

“(Smith) prides himself on his batting ability but also his leadership and he’s done a fantastic job when he has done that,” Head said.

“That’s also a motivation to continue. While he’s enjoying it, he will hang around. It would be silly not to say we want him forever. I hope he’s here for a long time.”

If Smith does feature in the next edition of the Ashes, he’ll need to find a way to tame England quick Josh Tongue, who knocked him over for a seventh time in six matches on Wednesday.

The Nottinghamshire seamer may have unearthed a bunny, with Smith averaging 18.25 against him in the Test area.

As an aside, the Australian champion has been remarkable in the slips the entirety of the summer and took brilliant catches to snare Stokes and Brydon Carse in the tailend of England’s innings.

With 215 slips catches, he trails all-time leader Joe Root by just one.

‘NOT ROCKET SCIENCE’: VAUGHAN’S RADICAL COUNTY PLOY

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has floated a radical method of encouraging the country’s budding Test stars to play more first-class cricket.

On Wednesday, Bethell notched his maiden Test hundred at the SCG, becoming England’s fourth-youngest Ashes centurion since World War II.

The 22-year-old, who previously hadn’t reached triple figures at first-class level, wasn’t available for last year’s Test match against Zimbabwe due to Indian Premier League commitments, impeding his development in the game’s longest format.

According to Vaughan, Bethell’s challenge moving forward will be how he manages the pressures of juggling the three formats because domestic T20 leagues around the world will be chasing his signature.

History shows many of his teammates have struggled to change gears when switching from white-ball cricket to Tests as well.

“That’s the hard thing for these young players that are playing all three formats, to keep that tempo, to keep your mind active and strong across the three formats,” Vaughan told Fox Cricket.

“I still think he needs to play more red-ball cricket.”

Vaughan floated the potential of encouraging Bethell to play more County Championship cricket by omitting him from inconsequential international white-ball series during the home summer, but still paying him the England match fee as an enticement.

“If you want your players to develop, is every lateral white ball series that important?” he continued.

“These are the things the management teams have to look at.

“What’s the best for their development going forward? If it is to play three four-day games rather than a one-day series against X, or Y, just pay them what they would have gotten for the one-day series. It’s not rocket science.”

Fox Cricket expert analyst Kerry O’Keeffe said England and Bethell had much to consider.

“Bethell said earlier he wants to go to World Cups and be a three-format player,” he said.

“Interesting the workload he takes on now. (I’m) very interested in his immediate future, such a valuable No. 3 a Test level. What will they do with Bethell?”

‘EARN THAT RIGHT’: ENGLAND OPENERS ARE NO LONGER LOCKS

While England has unearthed a No.3 in Bethell, Vaughan is less certainwhether the incumbent opening combination of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley will feature when they host New Zealand later this year.

The duo was considered a bedrock of Bazball, a partnership capable of dashing England off to a rapid start to build a platform for the rest.

But they have floundered in Australia due to Mitchell Starc’s brilliance and the relentless and excellent consistency of Scott Boland and Michael Neser. The fish has rotted from the head for England from Perth to Sydney.

Crawley bookended a series which began with a pair in Perth by shouldering arms to a delivery that zipped back in from Starc to fall for one on Wednesday.

Yet he managed to score more runs for the summer (273 at an average of 27.3) than his highly-rated partner Duckett, who finished the Ashes with 202 runs at 20.2 after making a crisp 42 on Wednesday.

As an opening combination, they averaged 19 for the series, with six of their ten partnerships lasting fewer than 15 balls at a score of less than seven runs.

While Bethell has performed superbly since replacing Ollie Pope at No.3 for the Boxing Day Test, the exiled Englishman was scarcely given a helping hand by the openers this series, having to come to the crease early on while struggling for form.

It is why Vaughan, while believing both players are highly capable when at their best, said it is not assured they will lead from the front in their next home series against the Kiwis.

“I don’t think after a tour like this (that) any player should think they’re a shoe-in,” Vaughan told foxsports.com.au

“What you don’t want to do going forward is think that every player that plays for England gets an opportunity (for) the next Test just because they’re part of the same group.

“There hasn’t been enough consequence with this England group for a while now. I wouldn’t (think) that every player that’s playing here is a guarantee to play that first Test against New Zealand. You’ve got to earn that right.”

Duckett, who endured scrutiny after video footage surfaced of him drunk in Noosa during the break between the Brisbane and Adelaide Tests, saved his best innings for the final innings.

The diminutive left-hander looked good on a flatter Sydney pitch before falling in a familiar way when chopping Michael Neser onto his stumps.

It is the seventh time he has chopped on to fast bowlers since the start of the English summer in 2022, which equals an unwanted record held by the discarded Pope.

As an added concern, he has not recorded a half-century in his past 24 innings across all formats, which includes performances in the hundred and ODIs against South Africa and New Zealand.

But Vaughan has no doubt Duckett is a class act who will regain his form once home.

“Duckett will be absolutely fine. Crawley can’t be a shoe-in, but he’s a player that I like, a player I’d like to see develop and improve,” Vaughan said.

“I thought throughout the tour he improved. Here in Sydney he’s ended on a bit of a low note, but I think he’s tried to play the right way the last few innings. He’s not gone dashing like he did in Perth. I would think the pair will carry on.”

Most instances of bowled chopped on vs pace in Tests since June 2022

7 – Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope

5 – KL Rahul & Dimuth Karunaratne

4 – David Warner, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Harry Brook & Joe Root

via CricViz

‘DON’T UNDERSTAND’: ENGLAND ‘STUPIDITY’ GET EVEN WORSE

Jamie Smith’s blunder on day two of the SCG Test was a late contender for the worst dismissal of the series until teammate Will Jacks said; “Hold my beer.”

The England all-rounder’s second-ball duck on Wednesday was inexplicably poor. Facing the part-time spinner Webster, the right-hander attempted to heave his second delivery over cow corner, instead picking out the boundary rider.

Cameron Green held onto a low chance and Webster threw his arms up in triumph. The Australians had been gifted a wicket from nothing.

“I have seen some stupidity in this series,” former England bowler Alex Hartley said on BBC Test Match Special.

“That is right up there.”

England, batting to save the Test match, slipped from 3-219 to 5-219 within five minutes in a lapse that curtailed their hopes of setting Australia an uncomfortable target, or of potentially forcing a draw by batting for an extended period.

Jacks may have considered it an opportunity to hit Webster out of the attack, forcing Australia to bring on their strike bowlers with the softened ball.

Regardless of the thinking, his dismissal was inexcusable, with Vaughan stating he could not “believe the shot I’ve just seen.”

“I just don’t understand the thinking from Jacks,” Hussey said on Fox Cricket.

“The blueprint has been so clear from Bethell and even Ben Duckett earlier on, which was work hard early your innings and get through that initial period.

“It’s just a lack of respect for Beau Webster’s bowling, thinking, ‘Nah, I’m going to smash him out of the attack.’”

This summer, Jacks has accumulated 145 runs at 20.71 and taken five wickets at 56.00. His selection was deemed a gamble, and in hindsight, the call has backfired. He’s hardly thrown a punch.