Australia is leading the 2023 Ashes series 2 to 1, with the penultimate game scheduled to begin on 19 July at Old Trafford, Manchester.
It is a ‘must win’ or draw match for Australia, given the final match is scheduled to take place at The Oval, Kennington, where England’s record is strong.
Australia has a bad history of keeping ‘over the hill’ players in the team for sentimental reasons, in turn depriving themselves of the best possible team and a younger player of opportunities.
The latest example is opener David Warner who is clearly past his prime and should never have been picked for England, given his poor record at Old Blighty.
Warner is England paceman Stuart Broad’s bunny, having dismissed warner 17 times in Ashes campaigns and twice for single-digit scores in the third test.
Warner must be dropped if Australia is to give itself the best possible chance.
With gun off-spinner Nathan Lyon ruled out with injury, the spin duties have fallen to the young and inexperienced Tom Murphy. But Australian captain Pat Cummins showed little faith in Murphy, bowling him for just 9.3 overs in the Third Test.
Mitch Marsh proved a revelation and saved Australia from heavy defeat, scoring a combined 146 runs and 2 wickets in the Third Test. He must remain in the team for the Fourth Test.
Meanwhile, two Australian players are performing well at county level and deserve to be considered for selection.
Right arm medium-fast bowling all-rounder Michael Nesser this week scored an impressive unbeaten 176 for Glamorgan. He should come into the team in place of Scott Boland, who has failed to make an impact.
Victorian batting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell also scored a rapid-fire 81 off 67 balls for Warwickshire. He should come in for Todd Murphy, in my view.
With this background in mind, here is my team for the Fourth Ashes Test, which would basically see Australia expand its bowling options as well as bat all the way down to number nine:
- Travis Head
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Cameron Green
- Mitch Marsh
- Glenn Maxwell
- Alex Carey
- Michael Neser
- Pat Cummins
- Mitchell Starc
If Australia sticks with Warner, they deserve to lose.
If they want to win the Ashes, they must field their best possible team.
Sadly, if history is a guide, I am pessimistic selectors will be bold enough to make such changes.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
