Ashes 2023: Ben Horne live Q&A before fourth Test at Old Trafford

Was David Warner lucky? Is two all-rounders the right call? Ben Horne answers all the burning Ashes questions. Replay his Q&A here.

Did the Aussie selectors get greedy?

Spinner Todd Murphy has been dropped for the fourth Ashes Test, Cameron Green is back and David Warner survives at the top of the order.

Is it the right XI to wrap up the Ashes or a big blunder?

Join cricket writer Ben Horne for a live Q&A to discuss all the big cricket issues.

Will ‘greedy’ Aussies pick two all-rounders?

Cameron Green remains a chance to play at Old Trafford, with selectors yet to rule out the possibility of going into the fourth Ashes Test without a specialist spinner.

Coach Andrew McDonald made it clear last week that Australia’s strong preference is to back in off-spinner Todd Murphy in the 30th anniversary match of Shane Warne’s “ball of the century”, a move which would likely see seam-bowling all-rounder Green as the unlucky man.

However, the Australians are keeping a close eye on the Manchester weather forecasts and if rain is predicted to play a major role in the Test consideration is still being given to trusting part-timer Travis Head with the spin overs and lengthening the batting order by playing Green as well as last-start centurion, Mitchell Marsh.

The one certainty seems to be that Josh Hazlewood will return to the attack in place of Scott Boland, while David Warner is strongly expected to retain his place at the top of the order.

Mitchell Marsh fielded at gully at team practice on Monday night and appears to have the edge over Green if Australia selects only one all-rounder and Murphy is selected.

However, indications out of Manchester were that as it stands, Green wasn’t completely out of the picture.

Cameron Green is a chance to return to Australia’s team for the fourth Test. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Esteemed Courier Mail cricket expert Robert Craddock believes Murphy and Marsh should win the final selection spots, with Green left out.

“To me, I think it’s just a bit greedy wanting two all-rounders, particularly on a diet of nine or ten overs a day,” Craddock said on the Code Sports fourth Ashes Test preview.

“It’s very hard to drop a guy like Marsh after he’s made a century. Australia has been waiting for that sort of Mitchell Marsh for a long time and they’ve invested a lot in him. And his head seems right.

“It’s a tight call … (but) in these series you don’t want to flirt with form. And Mitchell is in form. He bowled well as well.”

The weather forecast doesn’t look quite as dire as first thought, which would work in Murphy’s favour.

However, Manchester is the wettest cricket ground in the world and Australia may give themselves until the toss to decide on their XI and take in the latest forecasts.

Australian captain Pat Cummins speaks with Todd Murphy during a nets session at Old Trafford. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Craddock said Murphy should still play.

“I think the one thing that Andrew McDonald gave away was that they do want a spinner for this game,” Craddock said.

“And I get it, he’s under pressure this game. They will come especially hard at him after he only bowled nine overs in the last Test and got tonked by Stokes.

“They’ll come hard at Murphy again.

“But there is an opportunity for him. Warnie always loved it when guys came after him, so in the spirit of Shane Warne, as his spirit stirs at Old Trafford, hopefully that could be good for Murphy.

“Initially, I didn’t mind the thought of Travis Head bowling offies and in his best form I don’t think he’s far short of where Murphy is at the moment, but I think they indicated that they want a spinner.”