Pat Cummins has admitted David Warner is no guarantee to be selected for the fourth Ashes Test, conceding that Mitch Marsh will be incredibly hard to leave out at Old Trafford.
Warner’s spot at the top of Australia’s order is again under the microscope, after he was dismissed twice by Stuart Broad in seven balls in Australia’s three-wicket loss at Headingley on Sunday.
Already planning to retire in January, Warner has made plenty of starts in the past month but is yet to make the kind of big score that would secure his spot long term.
The other factor in Warner’s selection is the squeeze on Marsh ,with Cameron Green expected to be fit to return for the next Test on July 19 after missing Headingley with a hamstring strain.
Playing in his first Test in almost four years in place of Green, Marsh scored 118 in a crucial day-one knock and was then reliable with the ball.
Green edged closer to full fitness on Sunday, bowling for close to 20 minutes in the morning before acting as a substitute fielder in the first session and having another light bowl at lunch.
It means Australia’s selectors must make the tough call to pick between Marsh and Green for the next Test, unless one was moved to the top of the order and Warner was displaced.
Asked if it was possible Marsh could be retained for Old Trafford in place of Warner, Cummins said it was not out of the question.
“You keep all options open,” Cummins said.
“We’ve got nine or 10 days now, so we’ll take a deep breath. We’ll go away for a few days.
“But everyone comes back into it. Greeny should be fit for Manchester. Josh (Hazlewood) will be back in there as well.
“So we should have a full roster and we’ll have a look at the wicket and have a chat and work out the best XI.”
Then asked if it was even possible to leave Marsh out at Manchester after his performances in Leeds, Cummins indicated it would be incredibly difficult.
“Yeah, it’s possible but, I mean, it was a pretty impressive week, wasn’t it?” Cummins said.
Warner’s scores of four and one at Headingley took his series average to 23.5, while he has now been dismissed by Broad 17 times in Test cricket.
The other selection decision for Australia will be what to do with their fast-bowling attack, with Cummins still keen to play all six Tests and Mitchell Starc a lock after a fourth-innings 5-78.
Scott Boland could therefore find himself under pressure after going wicketless at Headingley, with a fresh Hazlewood ready to return.
