Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Thursday weighed in on the fourth Ashes Test — which will be played at Old Trafford — addressing David Warner’s dip in form and the selection dilemma.
Warner has struggled massively in the Ashes as he scored only 141 runs at 23.50 in three matches due to which the Aussies have not discarded a re-shuffle at the top order.
However, despite constant poor performance, the three-time World Cup winner believes that Warner has done enough for Australia in the past to warrant him another chance.
"I know there's been a lot of chat the last couple of days since the end of Headingley and it's more the fact that it's Broad that's getting him out, I think,” Ponting told host Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review.
“I think if it was anybody else, the noise probably wouldn't be quite as loud, but the fact that he struggled to get through the opening spells of Broad a few times in this series again, makes it a little bit more of a worry."
"When someone's got you out 17 times, it does become as much a mental or probably more of a mental battle than it does a technical battle. But just thinking about the series, I'd be inclined to stick with David Warner."
Ponting also shed light on Mitchell Marsh vs Cameroon Green after the Australian skipper Pat Cummins said that he wants the latter back in the team for the fourth Test.
"The biggest question Australia have got to answer right now is do they want Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green in the same team?” Ponting posed.
"Because if they do want that, then I think it's going to be Warner that goes.
"I know he [Green] is a highly talented youngster, but with the national series on the line and what Mitch Marsh provided last game and with two top-order wickets as well, let's not forget about the wickets that he got. I think they might keep him in."
Ponting's predicted Australia XI for fourth Test:
1. David Warner, 2. Usman Khawaja, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Mitch Marsh, 7. Alex Carey, 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Pat Cummins, 10. Todd Murphy, 11. Josh Hazlewood
It must be noted that the Aussies lead the Ashes 2023 series by 2-1 after the visitors were handed out a defeat in the third ODI.
England chased the target of 251 runs in the 50th over — following their “BazBall” approach on day four as Harry Brook played a crucial knock of 75 runs, guiding his team to their first Ashes win.
Schedule of remaining Ashes matches
Fourth Test (Emirates Old Trafford) - Wednesday, July 19 - Sunday, July 23
Fifth Test (The Kia Oval) - Thursday, July 27 - Monday, July 31
- Ricky Ponting