Ashes 2023: Labuschagne could open, Smithy could go to No. 3, and Head to No. 4 – Michael Clarke questions David Warner’s place

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke wants the visitors to drop under-fire David Warner for the fourth Ashes Test match against England and retain Mitchell Marsh in the playing XI. With Cameron Green expected to be fit for the penultimate Test match, Marsh could lose out his place in the final XI despite scoring a fine century in the third Test at Leeds, Headingley, which Australia lost by three wickets.

Meanwhile, David Warner could only return with scores of 1 and 4 in the third Test match and England veteran pacer Stuart Broad continued his supremacy against the Australian opener, dismissing him for the 17th time in Test cricket in the second innings.

Warner has scored 141 runs in three Test matches at an average of 23.50 in the ongoing Ashes against England. Broad has consistently troubled him from the around-the-wicket angle and Clarke wants Australia to rejig their batting order.

Michael Clarke said on Sky Sports Cricket: “Tell me what they do now … The No.1 issue is you’ve stuck with Warner, given him every opportunity, and (Stuart) Broad’s still got his number. Is it time? If it’s time, I wouldn’t even be thinking about who opens the batting because you’ve got options.”

“I reckon Mitch Marsh is in form. If he had to do it, he could do it. Alex Carey probably won’t because he’s got to keep, but Travis Head could do it. Marnus Labuschagne isn’t making as many runs as he should at No.3. He could open, Smithy could go to No.3 and Head to No.4 (with Marsh and Green No.5 and No.6).”

Clarke added Australia should only think about playing Cameron Green if he is ready to bowl his overs.

“The thing you’ve got to think about first is is David Warner’s time up? And the other thing, if you’re going to bring Cameron Green back in, is he 100 percent fit to bowl the overs he needs to bowl? I think they should either stick with Warner or play with the batting order and keep Mitch Marsh,” Clarke said.

The fourth Ashes Test will be played at Old Trafford from 19th July onwards.