Webster made his Test debut at the start of last year and has had a mix of highs and lows in his first eight matches. Now 32 years old, he aims to build on those experiences as Australia enters a challenging stretch of Test cricket, starting with Bangladesh this month, followed by tough matches against South Africa, New Zealand, and India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe biggest thing I\u2019ve learned since making my debut is that I\u2019m good enough at this level,\u201d Webster said on Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYou never really know. In the lead-up to that first Test, the question was, \u2018do you feel ready?\u2019 I was telling myself \u2018absolutely,\u2019 but you don\u2019t really know until you face bowlers from other countries and find yourself in high-pressure situations with big crowds where you\u2019re expected to perform. That was the most important takeaway from the last 12 months.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Webster\u2019s confidence has grown from a strong start to his international career. He was the top scorer for Australia in the first innings of their loss to South Africa in last year\u2019s World Test Championship Final at Lord\u2019s and helped Australia sweep the West Indies in the Caribbean.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, he later found himself left out of Australia\u2019s preferred XI during the Ashes at the end of 2025, with Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, and Usman Khawaja being favored.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Webster returned for the final Ashes Test in Sydney and seized his chance, scoring an unbeaten 71 and taking three wickets. This performance has boosted his belief that he can maintain his spot in Australia\u2019s strong Test team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI forced my way into this team through runs. Being a batter means dealing in runs, and that\u2019s been my way into the team and how to stay in the team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019ve done in my first eight Tests with the bat likely shows I can be seen as a genuine top-six batter.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Webster may face tough competition for a place in the XI against Bangladesh since Australia has considerable batting depth. The 13-player squad includes Green, who has become one of the country\u2019s leading all-rounders.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Webster, however, believes they can play together and thinks having two all-rounders would give captain Pat Cummins more flexibility.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see why not,\u201d Webster said. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely beneficial to have more options in that top seven with the ball, and I don\u2019t view it as direct competition. It only offers more options and benefits for the captain if we\u2019re both doing well with the bat and what we can contribute in the field.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI enjoy playing with Cameron. I appreciate having the choice depending on who is performing with the ball; we can change things up when needed. So I\u2019m more than happy.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Instead of getting distracted by selection battles, Webster said he focuses on making himself essential through his performances with both bat and ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m just focused on doing my job and making it hard for them to leave me out of the 11, whether that\u2019s with the bat or the ball. I take pride in contributing in all areas of the game, and so does he. We just happen to be all-rounders who mainly bat.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Instead of getting distracted by selection battles, Webster said he focuses on making himself essential through his performances with both bat and ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first Test will be played in Darwin from August 13-17, and the second is scheduled for Mackay from August 22-26.<\/p>\r\n\r\n