David Warner has squandered an opportunity to make a statement in the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, dismissed for 32 before Australia went to lunch at 2-107.

Under pressure to retain his spot, Warner cut the first ball from nemesis Stuart Broad for four and looked in good touch in the opening hour.

He also pulled Chris Woakes for another boundary in his 36-ball innings, before being caught behind trying to drive a Woakes delivery after a lengthy delay due to sun glare.

The innings summed up Warner’s series, having made several starts without producing the big score that would lock the veteran opener into the side until his planned January retirement.

Australia insists that the middling scores have represented significant contributions, getting through a tough opening period against the new ball in England.

But Warner will still be frustrated he hasn’t made a three-figure score on this tour, with the left-hander’s best a 66 at Lord’s.

After the final Test of the Ashes at The Oval next week, Australia has three home Tests against Pakistan that shape as a farewell tour for Warner in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.

There is also have a one-day World Cup in between those Test series, a tournament Warner plans to play a significant role in.

Warner’s 32 on Wednesday came after Usman Khawaja became Broad’s 599th Test victim, trapped lbw by a ball that seamed in at him on three.

Marnus Labuschagne (29no) and Steve Smith (33no) then batted Australia through to lunch, with the latter launching Moeen Ali for a big six over long on before the break.

The pair made a point of not letting the spinner settle after he dismissed them both in the last-start loss at Headingley, taking 17 off his first two overs.

Smith had earlier been lucky to survive his first ball when he hooked Woakes in the air, only for it to land between Mark Wood and the boundary rope at deep backward square.

England is attempting to become the first team to choose to bowl first at Old Trafford and go on to win the match, after Ben Stokes won the toss for a fourth straight Test.

While history is against it at the ground, the hosts want to have the power to control a must-win game with rain forecast for the final two days.

Otherwise, a draw will be enough to ensure Pat Cummins’ side retain the urn, while victory at Old Trafford will provide the visitors’ first series win in England since 2001.

-AAP