Poll: Green v Murphy
Once it was decided David Warner was holding his spot, the call to drop Todd Murphy for Cameron Green became the major talking point. What’s your verdict?
Warner v Broad
We’re not far away from another battle between David Warner and his nemesis Stuart Broad.
The veteran seamer is aiming to dismiss Warner for an 18th time – can the Australia opener find a way through?
Selectors kept their faith in Warner despite twin failures at Headingley and moderate scores stretching back to 2021. The pressure will intensify if he cannot get among the runs today.
My view is Australia made the right call in picking Warner. He was solid enough in the first two Tests, and made an important contribution in the World Test Championship final as well.
Former captain Mark Taylor expects Warner to play in the fifth Test as well.
England win toss, Australia batting first
Pat Cummins calls tails, it’s a head. Ben Stokes wins the toss again – and England have sent Australia in.
Stokes is four from four with the coin toss this series!
Cummins says Australia would have bowled as well but he’s not all that fussed about batting first. “A good toss to lose on this wicket,” Cummins said. Well, he’d have to say that wouldn’t he? He can’t exactly say we’re dreading batting in these conditions.
Sun’s out, but there’s cloud cover at Old Trafford. A big first hour awaits.
Teams
In case you’ve missed it, here are the starting XIs for both sides.
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood.
Good pitch for batting
By Daniel Brettig
It is overcast at Old Trafford but the forecast is clear ahead of day one on what looks a very good surface for batting.
Overhead conditions may mean the ball moves around and unlike 2019 there is no crosswind sweeping across the ground – that game, won by Australia to retain the urn in September, was recorded as the coldest Test match played since such records were kept.
Both teams were named well ahead of the toss, with Australia hoping to maintain a record of not having lost here since 1981. A win or a draw will seal the destination of the Ashes.
Welcome everyone
By Andrew Wu
Hello, get ready to feel like a zombie again. Thanks for joining me for our coverage of day one of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
We all know what’s at stake in this game. A win or draw and Australia retain the urn again, but it’s the former that Pat Cummins’ men are after. They want to become the first Australia men’s team to win in England since 2001.
Aloss and we head to The Oval next week 2-2 with everything to play for.
I’ll have some reports from our reporters at the scene in just a little while.
So finish your dinner, get a cuppa, glass of wine, or whatever is your vice at this time of night, and strap yourselves in for the night.
