Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, has expressed confidence in David Warner's inclusion for the crucial fourth Test at Old Trafford as the visitors target a victory to secure the Ashes and avoid a decider match.
Throughout the Ashes series, Warner has scored 141 runs from six innings, and his position at the top of Australia's batting order has faced scrutiny following his twin failures in the Headingley Test. Falling victim to Ashes nemesis Stuart Broad in both innings for 4 and 1, Warner's form has been a point of discussion.
Despite Warner's recent challenges, Cummins remains optimistic about the batsman's capabilities, citing his impressive performance at Lord's. Cummins said, "I think Warner has been going really well. I thought at Lord's, he was really impressive. Last week, like many of us, he probably didn't contribute as much as he would have liked with the bat."
Emphasizing Warner's value to the team, Cummins acknowledged the tough circumstances under which Warner has played, allowing other batsmen like Steve Smith to flourish.
While Warner's position appears secure, Australia faces a dilemma ahead of the fourth Test, particularly regarding the decision to bring back all-rounder Cameron Green, who missed the Headingley Test due to a side strain. Mitchell Marsh, stepping in for Green, impressed with a remarkable run-a-ball 118 in the first innings.
If Green returns for the fourth Test, Australia may have to make a tough call on potentially benching off-spinner Todd Murphy to accommodate him. In the third Test, Murphy replaced the injured Nathan Lyon but had limited opportunities, bowling only 9.3 overs and just two in the second innings.
Considering the possibility of an all-pace attack, Cummins stated, "Every situation is different. We've played games with one quick; we've played some games with heaps of quicks. It's all really conditions based."
Australia is just one victory away from claiming their first Ashes series win on English soil since 2001. Cummins and his team will be eager to secure the triumph at Old Trafford, determined to bring the coveted urn back home. The fourth Test promises to be a gripping encounter as both teams vie for the prestigious Ashes title.