Liam Dawson to make England Test return after eight years in place of injured Shoaib Bashir

Independent

3 days ago

Liam Dawson will make his first Test appearance in eight years in place of the injured Shoaib Bashir as England look to seal a series win over India at Emirates Old Trafford.
The 35-year-old played the last of his three Tests in July 2017, but he has been a star performer on the County Championship circuit with Hampshire and amassed 49 wickets in 2023 and a further 53 in 2024.
He had drifted out of contention in England's red and white-ball sides in recent years, but Bashir breaking a finger on his non-bowling hand in the 22-run win at Lord's last week opened the door for Dawson.
England have now confirmed their XI, as is now customary, two days out from the fourth Test and Dawson coming in for Bashir is the only change, with Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse retained.
As well as being a shrewd left-arm spinner, Dawson, who returned to England's T20 side in their win over the West Indies last month, has 18 first-class hundreds and is a renowned as a fine fielder.
Harry Brook said: '(Dawson) is a wily, old fox, very experienced and a very skilful cricketer. He's played everywhere, played against everyone so hopefully he can have an amazing performance this week.
'He's willing to always fight for the team, he's very competitive and it's good to have him here.'
Dawson is set to slot into the batting order at number eight ahead of Woakes, who drops a spot but keeps his place in the team despite taking seven wickets at an average of 56.4 in the series.
The 36-year-old got the nod ahead of Gus Atkinson partly because of his outstanding record in Manchester, where he averages nearly 37 with the bat and 17 with the ball in seven Tests.
Atkinson had a fitness test on Monday and while he was considered to be available, England have erred against risking a fast bowler who has been on the sidelines since late May with a hamstring injury.
Archer stays in the team after his starring role last week at the so-called home of cricket to put England 2-1 ahead with two to play, taking five wickets and bowling with plenty of pace and hostility.
It was his first Test outing in four-and-a-half years and only his second red-ball match since the summer of 2021 but after a week off, England have no concerns about his readiness to go again.
Meanwhile it is understood fellow express paceman Mark Wood's hopes of being available for the fifth Test have been dashed.
Initially ruled out for four months following knee surgery in March, Wood rated himself as '50/50' for a potential decider at the Kia Oval, but he will now target the white-ball matches against South Africa later this summer for his England return.