Webster back bowling, on track for timely Shield return

Test incumbent Beau Webster is on track to return from injury in the next round of the Sheffield Shield, with the Tasmanian allrounder back bowling.

Webster will miss Monday's one-dayer against Western Australia as he continues his recovery from a rolled ankle, after hurting it in a warm up last month.

But crucially Tasmania officials confirmed on Sunday that Webster is on track to face Victoria next week, in the last round of Shield before Australia's squad for the first Ashes Test is named.

Webster wanted to play in Tasmania's Shield match against Western Australia last week as a batter only, but was told to take a cautious approach on his ankle.

In the meantime, the 31-year-old has returned to bowling and is now back sprinting in his bid to keep his spot at No.6 for the Perth Test on November 21.

Webster's spot in the Test team is likely to depend on whether selectors feel comfortable opening with Marnus Labuschagne, or want him at No.3.

If selectors do opt for a specialist opener and Labuschagne comes back at first drop, that would likely force Cameron Green down into Webster's No.6 spot.

But if Labuschagne does open, as selectors have indicated they believe he can, then Webster would likely retain his spot in the middle order.

The other factor is Green's recent side soreness, potentially making the reassurance of having two pace-bowling allrounders - Green and Webster - more appealing.

Chief selector George Bailey said on Saturday that Green would be in the squad for Perth, noting also you could not fault Webster's returns since his January debut.

"I'm under no illusion of where I'm at. When I'm playing my best, I certainly deserve to be in that Australia team," Webster said on SEN Tassie on Friday.

"As a bat I have started my Test career pretty well. I haven't nailed down a No.6.

"But I hope I'd done enough to show I belong at that level, and I can hopefully help Australia win the Ashes.

"And the fact I can bowl hopefully adds value rather than taking it away. Having one allrounder in the team versus two."

Webster has hit four half-centuries in his seven Tests and averaged 34.63 with the bat. He has also taken eight wickets at 23.25.

The Tasmanian said he wanted to play sooner on return from the ankle injury, but was adamant he has played enough cricket recently to be ready for the Ashes.

"The worst thing I could do is rush back and turn up to Perth with a grumpy ankle and not be able to get my overs out or have some trouble batting," Webster said.

"The message has been get it right and get it ready, and make sure you're 100 per cent because they're potentially going to need the overs as an allrounder."