Ashes 2023: Australia coach Andrew McDonald on David Warner, Todd Murphy

Australia has given the strongest hint yet it will pick spinner Todd Murphy for the fourth Ashes Test despite bowling less than 10 overs in the Leeds defeat, reports DANIEL CHERNY.

David Warner trudges off after being dismissed during the Leeds Test. Picture: Paul Ellis.

Australian coach Andrew McDonald has flagged intentions to stick with spinner Todd Murphy for the fourth Test but will not yet guarantee David Warner’s position.

A century and two wickets from Mitch Marsh in what was the all-rounder’s first Test in almost four years has left Aussie selectors, of whom McDonald is one, with a looming crunch given the man Marsh replaced in the XI — Cameron Green — is expected to be available when the series resumes in Manchester next Wednesday.

Warner’s scores of four and one in the third Test at Leeds, where he was twice dismissed by long-time nemesis Stuart Broad, has left the veteran opener vulnerable.

The left-hander, who wants to retire from Test cricket at the SCG in January, averages 28.17 in the format over the past three years.

Pressed following the Leeds Test about whether Warner was a lock for Old Trafford, McDonald said Marsh had given the panel a lot of food for thought.

David Warner was out cheaply twice in the third Test. Picture: Jan Kruger/Getty Images.

“I think we’ve got everything to consider in terms of Mitch Marsh coming in, what the balance looks like, our all-rounders and there will be an assessment of the players at the back end of this Test,” McDonald said.

“We’ve got a big break so you would say that most of the bowlers should be fit and available,

“We’ve got Josh (Hazlewood) obviously missed this one so he’ll be ready to go for this Test match.

“And yeah, we’ve got an extra batter who’s put his hand up and we’ll have to consider the options ahead.”

Marsh made his runs at No. 6 after coming into the XI for Green, who was sidelined with a mild hamstring issue.

If Green replaces Warner, Australia will be looking for a replacement opener.

Both Green and Marsh have opened for the Aussies in white-ball cricket, with McDonald saying selectors hadn’t yet pondered whether Marsh could face the new ball in the Test arena.

“He did pretty well down the middle-order,” McDonald said.

“To put him up to open in English would probably be something we haven’t discussed yet.

“But we do have some time between now and the next Test.”

But for the second time in a few days, McDonald defended the performance of Warner thus far in the series.

“You’ve also got to reflect on what the opening partnership’s been able to do across the six innings and there’s been three 50-plus partnerships in there,” McDonald said.

“Albeit it didn‘t function to its level here, in some ways it’s done well so far in this series.

“We’ve got a lot to consider and a lot to weigh up, and Mitch Marsh has put a question to us no doubt.”

McDonald downplayed the prospect that Australia would enter a Test without a specialist spinner despite Murphy bowling just 9.3 overs at Headingley of which only two came in England’s run chase.

The Victorian had replaced the injured Nathan Lyon in Australia’s XI.

“Yeah, we like a spinner and I think I was on the record saying that in the lead-up to this match,” McDonald said.

“We like to have a balanced attack and it gives you options, you can take pace out of the game and you become one dimensional – whether it be with the right-arm bowlers or just pace bowlers in general – without the ability to turn to a spinner.

“I think that leaves you a bit short at times, and England played a very aggressive side here with Moeen (Ali) at seven and four quicks, but they value the spinner as well just to change the pace of the game.

“We‘ll have to assess that, but as it sits at the moment we do like to have the spinner in the team.”

McDonald meanwhile said he and England counterpart Brendon McCullum had buried the hatchet after the tense finale at Lord’s earlier in the month.

McCullum had quipped that he wouldn’t expect his team to have beers with the Aussies anytime soon following the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow, with McDonald expressing disappointment at those comments.

But a week on, McDonald said the two coaches had spoken since the Lord’s eruption.

“I hope he hasn‘t cancelled the beers but we’ll see what happens,” McDonald said.

“We’re speaking, and we always have been. We had a catch-up in and around the games.

“I think the game once again was played in good spirits, the crowd probably wasn‘t as hostile as what we anticipated so I think people have moved on, and the game moves.

“Let cricket do the talking from now on. It’s been a fantastic series, three great games and may that continue. Maybe just make it a little less stressful for the coaches, that would be nice.”

Originally published as Ashes 2023: Australia coach Andrew McDonald on David Warner, Todd Murphy