MANCHESTER: Out-of-form opener David Warner managed to retain his spot in Australia’s Playing XI, which did not feature a spinner, for the fourth Ashes Test against England.
David Warner, whose poor record against England pacer Stuart Broad continued in the ongoing Ashes, led by Australia 2-1, managed to retain his place in the team’s lineup.
Warner could score a mere five runs and fell twice against Broad in England’s three-wicket loss in the third Ashes Test.
Furthermore, Stuart Broad has had Warner dismissed 17 times in Tests and, if he does another double over Warner in the fourth Ashes Test, he will equal the record for most dismissals by a bowler against a single batsman at this level, held by Australia great Glenn McGrath, who claimed the wicket of former England captain Mike Atherton 19 times.
Despite the opener’s poor form, Australia captain Pat Cummins confirmed Tuesday that Warner would continue to open alongside Usman Khawaja as his men aim to win the Ashes series in England for the first time since 2001.
Cummins backed his decision by asserting Warner’s role in three fifty-plus partnerships for Australia was crucial for the Ashes holders while expressing his confidence that a big score from him is “just around the corner”.
“Davey didn’t have his best game last week at Headingley but prior to that, I think he’s looked really good –- he’s had three fifty-run partnerships which can be rare over here in England,” Cummins told reporters.
“We back Davey, absolutely. We know how tough it can be to open over here. He’s doing all the right things, he’s shown some great signs and I’m sure a big score is just around the corner,” he added.
Meanwhile, young spinner Todd Murphy, who replaced injured Nathan Lyon in the third Ashes Test, was dropped from the side.
Murphy’s exclusion meant Australia would go into a Test without the services of a frontline spinner for the first time in 11 years.
Cummins further shared that Josh Hazlewood would replace Scott Boland while all-rounder Cameron Green will replace Murphy.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has already unveiled their Playing XI for the must-win fourth Ashes Test, making just one change as their all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson returned to the hosts’ lineup.
PLAYING XIs
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood.
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
READ: Wade stars as San Francisco Unicorns down LA Knight Riders in MLC