Ashes 2023: I’ve got no doubt that he stays in the side – Ricky Ponting backs Todd Murphy

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting wants Todd Murphy to retain his place in the fourth Ashes Test against England. Murphy made his Ashes debut in the absence of injured Nathan Lyon in the third Test match at Leeds, Headingley but didn’t have a great outing.

The young off-spinner had impressed on the tour of India in the Border-Gavaskar series as he had returned with 14 scalps in four Test matches but he was taken to the cleaners by England skipper Ben Stokes in the first innings. Murphy could only take a solitary wicket in the first essay and Australian captain Pat Cummins only bowled him for two overs in the second dig.

Ricky Ponting said on the latest episode of ICC Review, “I’ve got no doubt that he stays in the side. And I think when they get the chance, when Pat gets the chance, he might look at getting him into the game a little bit earlier next time.”

Ponting also put his weight behind Australian skipper Pat Cummins and feels he is still young as a leader.

“Look, Pat is still fairly young in the job. Let’s not forget that he’s only been doing it for a couple of years now and I’m sure he’s learning along the way,” Ponting added.

In the 18 Test matches under Pat Cummins, Australia has won 10 and lost four whereas four have ended in stalemate.

Cummins said he is not going to question Pat Cummins as a leader as the gun fast bowler has done a decent job.

“I’m not going to question Pat at all. The fact that Australia are 2-1 up says he’s done a good job to me. There’ll always be little things in a game. When you lose, there are always little things in a game that people are happy to talk about.”

Ponting concluded: “At the end of the day, I think the tactics are better off waiting to see what the result is at the end of the series and then we’ll be able to critique both captains on the result.”

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