Ashes, 4th Test: Green or Marsh? Ponting names Aussie all-rounder likely to feature in the XI

The ongoing Ashes 2023 has been a riveting series. After the first three Tests, Australia lead England 2-1 with the fourth and penultimate Test to kick off on July 19 at the Old Trafford, Manchester. Ahead of the next Test match, Pat Cummins & Co. have some tough calls to make while deciding their playing XI.

After a loss in the third Test at Leeds, Headingley, Australia still lead the five-match series but will have to decide if they need to continue with a struggling David Warner at the top and who among Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh will make the cut. Green started the series for Australia but Marsh replaced him after the former's hamstring injury in the third Test.

While Australia lost the Headingley encounter by three wickets, Marsh was their top-performer. He returned with a magnificent 118 and 28 along with claiming two scalps. Green, on the other hand, has three wickets andbut has only managed38, 28, 0 and 18 with the bat. Ahead of the penultimate encounter, former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting made his choice and feels Marsh will be picked ahead of Green.

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Speaking on the latest episode of ICC Review, Ponting opined, "I know he's a highly talented youngster (Green), but with the national series on the line and what Mitch Marsh provided last game and with two top-order wickets as well, let's not forget about the wickets that he got. I think they might keep him in."

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Ponting backsDavid Warner

Meanwhile, Punter also opened up on David Warner's struggles in Ashes 2023. He was dismissed by Stuart Broad for the 17th time in the format during the second innings of the third Test. He has returned with scores of 9, 36, 66, 25, 4 and 1 in the series.

"When someone's got you out 17 times, it does become as much a mental or probably more of a mental battle than it does a technical battle. But just thinking about the series, I'd be inclined to stick with David Warner," Ponting stated.

"With the lack of tour games for Australia, it doesn't just hinder the guys that are out of form, but it actually hinders the other guys that are trying to push for a place into the side because they're just batting in the nets every day and they're not getting any match practice either," headded.