Photo reveals major Aussie Test selection hint; Head’s cheeky endorsement — Cricket Daily

A picture from a fielding session in Darwin has revealed a huge hint on who the Australians will roll out for the first Test against Bangladesh starting on Thursday.

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It appears that all-rounders Cam Green and Beau Webster will both be picked for the opening Test after cricket journalist Bharat Sundaresan posted a picture to social media showing both Green and Webster in the slips cordon.

Webster was pictured at first slip, next to keeper Alex Carey and Steve Smith at second slip with Green in his preferred position of gully.

With Travis Head set to move to the top of the order following Usman Khawaja’s retirement, it leaves a spot open in the middle order, which Green is expected to assume.

It means Webster will likely bat at seven.

Webster was overlooked for the first four matches of the Ashes series during the summer, but was picked for the final Test at the SCG, taking two wickets and scoring a 71 not out in his only at bat.

HEAD’S CHEEKY ENDORSEMENT

Travis Head has given Nathan Lyon the best possible endorsement ahead of the off spinner’s likely return, while opening up on his future at the top of the order ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin starting Thursday.

Lyon has been absent from the bowling crease in a proper game since injury his hamstring during Australia’s Ashes clinching victory in Adelaide in December, but the 38-year-old showed he is ready to go with an eye-catching performance during last week’s match simulation sessions in Brisbane.

“Faced one ball, it was a pretty good one. Ran past it,” Head told reporters in Darwin on Monday morning with a laugh.

“But yeah he bowled well throughout all match sim from what I’d seen.”

Before admitting to Lyon claiming bragging rights over him in the intra-squad hit out, Head said: “Yeah Gaz seems like he’s going about his work.

“He’s recovered well. A long time off so he’d be keener than probably anyone in this squad to get going again.

“He loves it and he’s bowled really well during the week. He’s in good rhythm, but at the end of the day, just looking forward to Thursday and getting started.”

Head dismissed any concerns about his fitness heading in the first of two Tests against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay.

Asked by a reporter about the strapping on his ankle, Head also replied with a chuckle: “Since 2010, so we’re sweet”.

Head is set to reprise the opening role he so famously made his own during the home summer.

The dashing left-hander smashed centuries in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney on his way to topping the run charts in Australia’s 4-1 Ashes triumph.

Head’s tally of 629 runs helped propel him to back-to-back Allan Border Medals, so it was a touch surprising when the 32-year-old gave an interview after claiming the top gong saying he is “not a true opening batter”.

The South Australian, who has been a regular at the top of the order in white-ball cricket, made the comment in reference to the debate after his whirlwind fourth innings century in Perth as to whether he should stay at opening.

His performances for the remainder of the series slammed the door shut on that debate, even though Head has only faced the new ball in 12 of his 180 first-class games.

He is certainly committed to the role for now with Head seeing no reason why he cannot stay at the top throughout Australia’s jam-packed year ahead, which includes tours of South Africa, India and England, a home series against New Zealand, the 150th anniversary Test against England and potentially a World Test Championship final.

“Yeah I think it can work,” Head said of opening for the long-term.

“If I do it for 20 Tests, if we’re sitting there in a few years and I’ve finished and I’ve opened the batting the whole time, I would have done an okay job at it or been consistent.

“Hopefully contributed or had a good partnership with Jake. I feel like it works. Just got to continue to work hard at what I do and try be as consistent as I can at it.

“New challenge coming here and a new challenge when we go to South Africa in a month’s time. I’m looking forward to that challenge.”

He added: “I feel like I’ve been adaptable in the places I’ve played.

“I’ve done it in India and opening the batting there is slightly different to Australia and in South Africa. Everything’s going to be different.

“What I’ve been able to do over my career is try problem solve as best as I can. Work through challenges, whether they’re green wickets or flat wickets.

“It’s no different to opening the batting. What challenges the opposition bowlers, new ball or wicket (present).”

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There is more conjecture about Head’s opening partner Jake Weatherald.

The Darwin product is playing the role of hometown hero this week with Head giving his South Australia teammate a glowing endorsement.

“Haven’t seen him much. He’s been out socialising with everyone, which is good,” Head said.

“I’ve played a lot of cricket with Jake. Again, what you can take out of last week, I thought he played really well against our bowlers in the match sim.

“He looks like he’s moving really well. He had a really good County Championship season in England. So, he looks like he’s in good form.”

Weatherald smacked 180 for Australia A in a four-day game against Sri Lanka A in Darwin last year.

While both Australia and South Africa piled on the runs in two T20s at Marrara Stadium in 2025.

Australia’s batters are certainly hoping for more of the same.

“I haven’t seen the wicket yet because we’ve just got here this morning, but played the T20s last year and the wickets were good,” Head said.

“From all reports from the ‘A’ games last year, the wicket was good.”

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