Follow UsAustralian skipper Pat Cummins remained tight-lipped about David Warner’s position in the XI. The Aussie opener has not been in the greatest of form recently, and has particularly struggled to contend with Stuart Broad’s new ball bowling. In the third Test, he was dismissed cheaply by Broad in both innings.
The southpaw has featured in over 100 Tests, scoring 8343 runs at an average of 44 and an impressive strike rate of 70, but averages only 18.41 in 7 Tests this year, and endured twin failures in the Headingley Test, falling twice to his arch-nemesis Stuart Broad.
"We'll keep all our options open. We've got nine or 10 days now, so we'll take a deep breath," Cummins said post the third Test.
"We'll go away for a few days but everyone comes back into it. Greeny should be fit for Manchester, we should have a full roster. So we'll have a look at the wicket, have a chat and work out the best XI."
Earlier this year, Warner had indicated that he would like the December Test against Pakistan in Sydney to be his last one. It remains to be seen if he gets a chance to end his career on his own terms, or will he face the axe prematurely.
What would make his dropping even more difficult is the fact that none of their backup options have any tour games to throw their hat in the ring. A slightly left-field choice could be to play both Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh in the XI.
The Aussie skipper preferred to hold his cards close to his chest, when it came to Marsh’s selection as well.
"It's possible, but it was a pretty impressive week wasn't it?," Cummins said.
After back-to-back Tests, both teams now have a nine-day break. The fourth Test will be played in Manchester, Old Trafford from Wednesday, July 19th.