'If they keep Warner, Green will miss again' - Ricky Ponting backs Mitchell Marsh to play fourth Ashes Test

Ricky Ponting believes that Australia will favour all-rounder Mitchell Marsh over Cameron Green in the fourth Ashes Test, which begins July 19 at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. Australia leads the five-match series 2-1 after losing the third Test at Headingley in Leeds by three wickets.

Marsh, who came in for the injured Green, proved worthy of being included in the playing XI for the third Test. He hit a hard-fought century in the first innings after all other batters battled against England's bowling assault. Notably, it was his first Test since the final game of the 2019 Ashes.

Ponting stated that if only one of the two all-rounders could play in the Manchester Test, he would choose Marsh. Notably, Australia coach Andrew McDonald earlier indicated that opener David Warner will not play in the forthcoming match, instead opting for both all-rounders.

"If they are happy to keep Warner in the side, then unfortunately it'll be Cam Green that misses again because what we saw Mitchell Marsh do with the bat in the first innings, we haven't seen Green look like doing that so far in this series," Ponting said on the latest episode of the ICC Review. 

Cameron Green is a highly talented youngster: Ricky Ponting

Ponting further praised Green, describing him as a "highly talented youngster". However, the 48-year-old admitted that no one would ever forget Marsh's heroics in the third Test, in which he hit 118 in the first innings and took two key wickets in two innings.

"I know he's  (Green) a highly talented youngster, 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," the former Aussie skipper added.