Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green could play in same Australian side

David Warner’s struggles and some bowling issues could open the door for an Aussie Ashes first in Manchester.

Mitch Marsh on his way to a century at Headingley. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Australian captain Pat Cummins concedes there “could be” a scenario where Headingley centurion Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green play in the same team in the next Ashes Test as opener David Warner‘s position in the side comes under question.

In the wake of the loss to England in the third Test, Warner’s continued struggles against Stuart Broad and the lack of impact from fast bowler Scott Boland loom as the biggest Australian selection questions for the third Test in Manchester.

Australia leads the series 2-1 and needs only one more victory from the final two matches to retain the Ashes, but victorious England captain Ben Stokes was adamant his team’s win was “just the start of what we know we need to do”.

Despite wins in the first two matches, Cummins said his team had not been close to playing “our best game” and the limited output from Warner, who made scores of just four and one in Leeds and is averaging the lowest of any Australian batter to have played all three Tests, is worrying.

Cummins said “all options are open” when asked about any potential changes for the fourth Test, then later hinted Green, who missed the Headingley match with a minor hamstring issue, could play with Marsh, who made a comeback century in the first innings playing as his all-rounder replacement.

“It could be for sure,” Cummins said when asked if he could see a scenario where the two all-rounders play together.

“The way Mitch has played, it’s hard to leave him out, it’s hard to leave Greeny out … we’ll work it out.

It will be a tough call to drop Mitchell Marsh after his century. Picture: Paul Ellis / AFP

Green bowled and fielded before play on day four in Leeds and, with the fourth Test not starting until July 19, has ample time to recover.

Marsh, however, thought it less likely he would play with Green in Manchester should Green be passed fit.

“I don’t think there is (room for both). That’s all right.” Marsh told cricket.com.au.

“I don’t want to comment on it too much. Ultimately, that stuff is out of my control. I’ve got a very, very close relationship with Greeny.

“It‘s important for him to be in our side. We’ve seen how important he is for our side over the last couple of years.”

Cummins wouldn’t commit to any possible changes in the aftermath of the loss when asked about Warner’s place in the side.

“You keep all options open,” Cummins said.

“We’ve got nine, 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 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.”

Boland, who took 18 wickets in just three Ashes Tests in Australia in the 2021/22 series, has just two wickets in two Tests in England at an average of 115.