Liam Dawson
England’s national selectors have made a notable change ahead of the fourth Test of the ongoing series against India, naming veteran left-arm spinner Liam Dawson in the playing XI.
The announcement, made by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday, marks Dawson’s return to Test cricket after an eight-year absence. The 35-year-old Hampshire all-rounder last represented England in the longest format in July 2017, when he earned his third Test cap.
Dawson replaces the young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who sustained a finger fracture during England’s 22-run victory in the third Test at Lord’s. That win gave England a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, putting them on the cusp of securing their first Test series win in a five-match format since 2018. With the fourth Test set to begin on Wednesday at Old Trafford, England will look to seal the series with one match to spare.
Dawson’s recall comes after years of consistent domestic performances and involvement in England’s white-ball squads. He was part of the squad that lifted the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019, although he did not feature in any matches during the tournament. Most recently, he played in the T20I series against the West Indies in June, showcasing his versatility and experience across formats.
The remainder of the team remains unchanged, with England sticking to the core that has delivered back-to-back victories. The top order features Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, followed by Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Harry Brook. Captain Ben Stokes leads the side, supported by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and a pace attack comprising Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Jofra Archer.
England Playing XI for 4th Test vs India:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.
The inclusion of Dawson is expected to add depth to England’s spin options as they aim to wrap up the series in front of their home crowd.
