Ponting weighs up Australia's third Test options

Former Test skipper Ricky Ponting has flagged the prospect of Australia again overlooking James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc for the third Ashes Test at Headingley, a venue that historically suits a swing and seam bowler like incumbent quick Peter Siddle.

And he believes Australia's selectors will be forced to discuss the position of out-of-form opener Cameron Bancroft, but he's urged them not to panic given they still hold a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

One of the major talking points this week will be the make-up of Australia's bowling attack in Leeds, with Pattinson expected to return given he was rested from the second Test due to the short turnaround between matches.

But Ponting says the form of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Siddle at Lord's will make it difficult for selectors to make a change, adding left-armer Mitchell Starc – who has 211 Test wickets – appears well back in the race for a recall.

"Josh was outstanding throughout the (second) Test match so you'd like to think he stays in," Ponting told cricket.com.au.

"It might be Siddle's turn to sit out and Pattinson comes in. But in saying that, if there's conditions in the UK that generally suit someone who bowls like Siddle, it's been Leeds historically.

"Especially if there's a bit of cloud overheard, it's been a nightmare to face those sort of guys who hit the seam and wobble the ball and make scoring tough.

Image Id: 57535AAAA9994F6BBE39633AE192F111 Image Caption: Siddle collected three wickets at Lord's // Getty

"He's done a good job so far in the series so if the conditions suit him, they might go with the same line-up again. It's a pretty good position to be in.

"No one has even spoken about Starc coming into the side. As soon as Pattinson missed, we're just waiting for him to come back in. Right now, you'd think something out of the ordinary would have to happen for Starc to get a game at all.

"But they'll wait until they get there and take a look at the conditions."

Ponting was captain the last time Australia played an Ashes Test at Headingley and it was Siddle who starred on that occasion in 2009, taking five wickets and Stuart Clark three as England were routed for just 102 on the opening day.

However, the three County Championship matches at the venue this year have provided assistance for all styles of bowling, including a 10-wicket haul for Yorkshire's South African spinner Keshav Maharaj last month.

Image Id: A0303964B85B479FA23A6B6C57DBBD10 Image Caption: Peter Siddle claimed a remarkable 5-21 in just 9.5 overs in the 2009 Headingley Test // Getty

At the top of Australia's order, Bancroft and opening partner David Warner have managed just 62 runs between them in eight innings so far in the series, putting both players in the spotlight this week.

Ponting says Warner has enough credit in the bank to hold his spot and while he believes Bancroft is viewed as a long-term option by selectors, his position will come up for debate.

"I don't think Davey would be an issue or a concern, but I'm sure there'll be a bit of chat about Bancroft and his position," he said.

"Once again, he was able to hang in there for a while (during his 40-ball innings of 16 on Sunday) … but generally when batsmen get through that, you'd expect to go on and make some runs.

"At the moment, he's getting through the hardest bit and then not going on. I'm sure there'll be some chat and concern about that.

"But (Australia) are sitting in a pretty good position. And if you compare the two teams, I think there's probably a similar amount of concern about the England top order at the moment.

"Australia still have the momentum in the series. They're 1-0 up with three to play and having the Ashes in their hands, England are going to have to do something pretty special to turn it around.

"So I don't think there's any need to be panicking too much."

Warner, who is averaging just 4.50 for the series, on Sunday became the first Australian opener in more than two decades to record four successive single-figure scores in an Ashes series.

Ponting saw Warner's hot form in the recent World Cup up close in his role as the team's assistant coach and said the former vice-captain's run of low scores since then is starting to add up.

"They've got to get something out of Davey as well," he said. "That's going to be as big a challenge as the other opening spot.

"It doesn't look like he's out of touch. During the back-end of the World Cup, I've not sure I've seen him bat better than that. I know it's a different format … but he came back in and looked like he hadn't left the game.

"He's just got to get back to remembering what he does and what he's thinking when he plays well and try and mirror that. If he does all the right things, being the class player he is, it'll turn around for him."

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

England squad: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes (vc), Chris Woakes.

First Test: Australia beat England by 251 runs at Edgbaston

Second Test: Match drawn at Lord's

Third Test: August 22-26, Headingley

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: September 4-8, Old Trafford

Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval