Aussies make call on David Warner amid 11-year first for fourth Ashes Test

David Warner has retained his place in Australia's XI for the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, with the Aussies dropping Todd Murphy and opting against playing a front-line spinner for the first time in 11 years. Pat Cummins revealed on Wednesday that all-rounders Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green will both play, meaning there's no room for Murphy.

Marsh will bat at No.6, Green at No.7 and wicketkeeper Alex Carey at No.8. Josh Hazlewood also comes back into the side at the expense of Scott Boland after he was rested for the third Test. Despite questions over his place in the side given his indifferent form, Warner has been retained and will open the batting as normal.

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The decision to leave out Murphy is the biggest, with Australia pushing for a victory that will secure their first Ashes series win in England since 2001. A draw in Manchester will see them retain the Ashes.

The Aussies have played a specialist spinner in all 117 Test matches they've played since January 2012, but part-timer Travis Head will be called on to bowl some spin at Old Trafford. Murphy bowled just 9.3 overs in the third Test at Headingley, and wet weather is forecast for most the match at Manchester.

Making his selection difficult is the form of Marsh, who scored a run-a-ball 118 in the third Test while Green was temporarily sidelined by a minor hamstring strain. Speaking to reporters, Cummins said it was unfair to suggest Australia did not have faith in Murphy after the youngster played just one match while filling in for the injured Nathan Lyon.

"Nathan Lyon is the greatest off-spinner we've ever had so it's not quite apples for apples," Cummins said. "We are really excited by Todd, think he's fantastic. Would have loved to use him a bit more last week, think conditions just favoured pace bowling.

"We played a Test in Hobart last year in the Ashes where Nath didn't bowl an over. It's all conditions-based. We are really excited by Todd, we love having him around, he's got a big future."

Aussies confident with Travis Head as lone spinner

Cummins said the tourists are confident that Head can do the job required with the ball if needed, on a wicket that has favoured spin in the past. The South Australian took 4-10 in Sri Lanka last year, and has taking two wickets in 11 overs so far this series.

"When he started his career with Australia he was basically the front-line spinner in ODI cricket, bowled 10 overs quite a bit, and I think he's got better and better," Cummins said. "When Nath played he obviously hasn't had to bowl much, but still provides something a little bit different to Nath so we have used him a little bit.

"He's really confident, he defends himself well, uses a bit of drift as much as spin and he's quite clever. I've got a lot a confidence in his bowling, and we've got Smithy (Steve Smith) and Marny (Marnus Labuschagne) who can bowl some leggies, too."

Cummins also backed Warner to fire with the bat, despite the left-hander making just 141 runs at 23.5 so far in the series. "Some of the roles he has had to play are in tough times this series," Cummins said.

"It hasn't been easy for Uzzy (Khawaja) and Dave in particular when they have walked out to bat under lights. He might not have scored the Test runs he would have liked in the last couple of years, but in ODIs and T20s he is still showing his class. We're really happy with how he is going."

AUSTRALIA XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood.

with AAP

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