Selecting text while trackpad scrolling doesn't work

I have recently upgraded to a M1 Macbook Air with Big Sur and am unable to consistently scroll and select text. On my previous Macbook Pro which was running Catalina I was able to select text (click with index finger) and scroll (middle and ring finger) with one hand every time anywhere on the trackpad. In Big Sur the cursor moves with the scroll gesture rather then scrolling.

The only way I can make it sometimes work is if I use my thumb to click or click in the very bottom left corner of the trackpad. Neither of which are consistent or convenient.