
England vs India 4th Test team news: Liam Dawson returns as Chris Woakes keeps place
The veteran Hampshire left-arm spinner makes his first Test appearance in eight years as England seek a win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford that would give them an unassailable 3-1 lead and earn them the most important series victory in the three years under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
Advertisement
Dawson, 35, with 18 first-class centuries to his name, brings much more of an all-round package than the inexperienced Bashir and is expected to bat at No. 8 at Old Trafford ahead of Chris Woakes, who is retained despite a largely disappointing series.
Woakes, 36, who has taken seven wickets in the three Tests so far at 56.40 apiece, keeps his place largely because of his excellent record at Old Trafford where he has taken 35 wickets in seven Tests at 17.
England were reluctant to throw Gus Atkinson back into the side for his first game since he injured his hamstring against Zimbabwe in May off the back of just one appearance for Spencer in the Surrey Club Championship.
England are clearly determined to give Woakes every chance to prove he is not quite yet at the end of the international road.
The decision to retain the experienced seamer for the fourth Test against India, which begins on Wednesday, owes much to his outstanding record at Old Trafford and the nine-day break England's bowlers have enjoyed since their nail-biting 22-run victory at Lord's.
But it also demonstrates England's faith in Woakes at a time when his under-par performances in the series so far have led to question marks over his future beyond this summer.
There are also concerns over whether the most likely replacement for Woakes, Atkinson, is fully fit and England will step up his recovery after injury by asking Surrey to include him in their second team ahead of the last Test at the Oval.
The one change England have made may have been enforced because of Bashir's broken finger but the return of Dawson for his fourth Test appearance eight years after his third should strengthen them, at least in the short term.
The vastly experienced Dawson is a more attacking bowler than when last he played Test cricket and is also a good enough batter to be considered a genuine all-rounder. He will bat at eight with Woakes at nine and Brydon Carse at 10 in a deep batting line-up.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a few seconds ago
- Yahoo
🚨 BREAKING: Sunderland unveil new kit ahead of PL return
Sunderland have officially revealed their much-anticipated 2025-26 home shirt, and fans are already flooding social media with reactions ranging from adoration to sharp critique. Designed in collaboration with Danish sportswear brand Hummel, the new kit captures the club's proud identity with a modern twist Advertisement The unveiling tweet from the club sets the tone for what's clearly more than just a kit drop. It's a love letter to the fans, the culture, and the history that define Sunderland AFC. As always, the club's iconic red and white stripes are central to the design, but this year's edition boasts finer detailing, including stripes on the back and the central crest, features fans were quick to notice and appreciate. With engagement already surging and the fanbase talking, the club's 2025-26 launch looks set to be one of its most memorable in years. 📸 George Wood - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ben Stokes claims first five–for since 2017 as England bowl India out for 358
England captain Ben Stokes claimed his first five-wicket haul since September 2017 after Rishabh Pant courageously defied injury to help India to 358 all out at Emirates Old Trafford. Stokes' five for 72 saw him move level on 229 career wickets with Darren Gough on day two of the fourth Rothesay Test but he shared top billing with Pant, who was seen arriving at the ground in a moon boot. Advertisement While he will not keep wicket – substitute Dhruv Jurel was behind the stumps as England raced to 77 without loss at tea – Pant resumed his innings less than 24 hours after retiring hurt on 37 in agony. Reports in India suggest Pant suffered a fractured metatarsal when inside edging a Chris Woakes yorker on to his right foot, although the tourists have not publicly announced the severity of the problem. He was given a standing ovation when he emerged from the pavilion just before lunch, hobbling down the steps, and he steadily grew in confidence, launching Jofra Archer for six en route to a battling 54. Advertisement Archer, though, who collected three for 73, had the last laugh as for a second innings in succession, he sent Pant's off-stump flying, although the dangerous left-hander's extra runs could yet prove vital. Archer made the breakthrough with the second new ball in his first over as India resumed on 264 for four, squaring up Ravindra Jadeja, who was on his way for 20 after nicking to second slip. England were frustrated despite helpful bowling conditions as overnight batter Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar put on 48 to take India past 300 before Stokes claimed his third wicket. Thakur fell nine runs short of his fifty after being persuaded into a drive, with a thick edge flying to gully, where Duckett leapt to his left to take a terrific catch before Pant re-emerged. He played and missed at his first couple of balls off Stokes and was then struck on the glove from his third, a worrying sight for India as he injured his left index finger at Lord's last week. Advertisement Unable to call upon a runner because they have been outlawed in Tests, Pant limped through for a couple of singles. Upon the resumption, Pant steadily walked back to the crease where a waiting Stokes – with a wide grin – pointed at his left hand, a good-natured nod to last week's timewasting row. Sundar survived an lbw review off Archer but was bounced out by Stokes, who nicked off Kamboj three balls later for his fifth five-for and first since his career-best six for 22 against the West Indies nearly eight years ago. England, though, did not seem to know how to handle Pant, with Stokes fractionally off target with a couple of yorkers, while Pant blazed an extraordinary leg-side six off an Archer slower ball. He was castled neck and crop in an almost identical rerun of his second-innings dismissal at Lord's last week, with Archer finding a hint of movement away from round the wicket to uproot off-stump. India lost their final four wickets for 21 when England and Archer successfully reviewed a glove down the leg-side off Jasprit Bumrah, who presented an altogether more different threat with the ball. Advertisement Zak Crawley took 14 balls to get off the mark and survived an lbw review off Mohammed Siraj after offering no shot on height on 26 but he provided able support for Duckett, who got off to a flyer. After gloving his first ball off Kamboj down leg just out of reach of the diving Jurel, Duckett feasted on a number of deliveries on his pads to go to tea on an unbeaten 43. Crawley was 33 not out.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Wolves signs Colombia forward Jhon Arias from Fluminense
WOLVERHAMPTON, Englans (AP) — Premier League side Wolverhampton has completed the signing of Colombia forward Jhon Arias from Brazilian club Fluminense on a four-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months. The 27-year-old Arias impressed at the Club World Cup this summer, helping Fluminense reach the semifinals. Financial terms were not disclosed. According to the BBC, Wolves signed him for an initial 15 million pounds ($20 million) plus a further 4 million pounds in add-ons, which includes European qualification. Arias, who has won 31 caps, is Wolves' second signing of the summer following attacking midfielder Fer Lopez from Spanish La Liga side Celta Vigo on a five-year contract. ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press