The Ashes 2023

Former Australian captain has his say on David Warner’s spot in the Australian XI ahead of 4th Ashes Test

The Ashes 2023 has been great for Australia as they are leading the series 2-1 after three Tests being played. Australia recorded wins at Edgbaston and Lord’s while England came storming back in the third Test at Headingley with a three-wicket win. While it has been smooth sailing for the Kangaroos, the same cannot be said about David Warner. The left-hander batter has looked all at sea in the three Tests played in the Ashes so far.

Warner has made a total of 141 runs in six innings from three Tests. These numbers do not make good reading for Warner. Disappointed with Ashes performance, Warner’s future is uncertain due to struggles against Broad with 17 dismissals. Ricky Ponting talked about it and threw some light on the situation.

I would like Warner to showcase his Bulldog fighting spirit – Ricky Ponting

“If I’m Ben Stokes, even if David Warner gets through the first spell of Stuart Broad, then I’ll give him a short break and I’ll bring him back again,” Ponting added. “You’ve just got to look at Warner’s dismissals in the last game and this sort of wry smile came on his face almost to say, you’ve done it again, you’ve got me again. I’d like to see him go the other way. I’d like to see him show that real bulldog fighting spirit that he’s got. I think like he showed in the first innings of the World Test Championship like he showed in the first innings at Lord’s where he made runs there.”

“I know there’s been a lot of chat the last couple of days since the end of Headingley and it’s more the fact that it’s Broad that’s getting him out, I think,” said Ponting. “I think if it was anybody else, the noise probably wouldn’t be quite as loud, but the fact that he struggled to get through the opening spells of Broad a few times in this series again, makes it a little bit more of a worry,” Ponting said in an interview for the Cricket Governing Body.