Ashes 2023: Pat Cummins says there could be changes after losing third Test

Pat Cummins details where match was lost, says Mitch Marsh is hard to drop for fourth Test but doesn’t rule out David Warner losing his place.

Pat Cummins celebrates with David Warner after dismissing Joe Root during Day Four of the 3rd Test Match. Picture: Getty Images.

Pat Cummins has not ruled out David Warner losing his place for the fourth Ashes Test as the Australian captain identified the areas that cost his side the Headingley game and the chance to secure the trophy.

Warner has looked good for his first three Tests of the English summer, but there was a sense of deja vu to his dismissals by Stuart Broad in the third Test which Australia lost by three wickets.

The veteran opener was out in the first over of both innings and is under pressure with Cameron Green apparently fit and ready to return to the team.

Mitch Marsh, however, had a brilliant game for Australia, hitting a century in the first innings and taking a couple of wickets.

Travis Head could potentially move to the top of the order as he did in India when Warner was injured which would allow Australia to play both all-rounders or Marsh could open.

“You keep all options open,” Cummins said. “We’ve got nine or 10 days now, we’ll take a deep breath, we’ll go away for a few days, but you know, everyone comes back into it, Greeny should be fit for Manchester, Josh (Hazlewood) will be back in there as well.

“We should have a full roster. We’ll have a look at the wicket and have a chat and work out our best XI.”

Cummins did not rule out dropping Marsh despite his efforts in the Test.

“It’s possible, but it was a pretty impressive week, wasn’t it?” he asked.

Cummins said “quite a few” things had contributed to Australia’s loss by three wickets in the third Test, saying they had lapses “almost every day”.

“Day one you know Mitch got us back in the game and Trav then we lost you know, six for 20 or 30,” he said.

“The next day their tail put on a good partnership with Stokes.

“Then, you know, (we were) ahead of the game, batting on in sunlight kind of on day two and probably missed that opportunity.

“So, yeah, various opportunities, but, you know, another great Test match.”

David Warner during day four of the 3rd Test at Headingley.

Cummins defended his decision to only give Todd Murphy two overs on the day saying it was conditions based and that he would review his tactics but felt relatively comfortable with how the final innings unfolded.

“I‘ll have another look at it and see if there’s anything we might do differently. I still felt like with the ball was there was a little bit in there,” he said. “So, happy to give away a single but still felt like we left our catchers in, the two or three slips where you felt like you were going to take your wickets anyway. Overall, not bad.

“You might look at a few different ways to go about it, but I felt like we made some decent decisions out there.”

His opposite number, Ben Stokes, was delighted with the win and continues to believe England can win the series by winning the next two matches.

Stokes said victory on day four at Headingley reminded him of the famous 2019 triumph that he spearheaded on the same ground.

“Headingley, day four yet again,” he added. ”It‘s some place to play cricket.

“I don‘t know what it is about the place but it seems to bring out great games and unforgettable moments for the fans who come and watch.”

Stokes praised Harry Brook who scored 75 and got his side within 21 of the target.

“The way Brooky controlled the game from ball one with the bat was amazing,” said Stokes.

“He went out there and put the pressure straight back on them. Then the way he played with Chris Woakes in that very important partnership for us, it was high class.

“For such a young lad, in a high-pressure situation in an Ashes series, it was incredible.

“We‘ve all seen what he can do with the bat, he’s an incredibly gifted player and he’s only going to get better the more pressure situations he gets put in.”