England Announce Playing XI For The Fourth Test Against India, Liam Dawson Replaces Injured Shoaib Bashir

As the high-stakes fourth Test of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy looms at Old Trafford beginning July 23, England have dropped a strategic bombshell. In one of the most significant recalls of recent memory, Liam Dawson, a seasoned left-arm spinner, is back in Test cricket after an eight-year exile—replacing the injured Shoaib Bashir. With their series lead at 2–1 following a thrilling win at Lord’s, England have stuck with a winning squad, banking on a fusion of familiarity and fresh spin options. It’s a message of intent from the hosts: stability with tactical flexibility.

A Return Eight Years in the Making

Liam Dawson’s recall is the standout element in this week’s announcement. His last Test duty—also against India—came in February 2017 at Ahmedabad, a unique but short-lived spell where he claimed a total of seven wickets in just three appearances. Since then, Test selection has eluded him—but at 35, he’s now back.

In current form, Dawson is unignorable. During the 2025 County Championship, he’s claimed 21 wickets in nine matches for Hampshire, showcasing flight, drift, and economy on wickets favoring spin. England’s selectors have emphasized that his recall is “form-driven,” not nostalgic. His cunning variations, control, and composure are seen as essential to disrupt India’s rhythm on the often spin-grippy Old Trafford surface.

Replacing Bashir, England’s sole specialist spinner till now, with the more experienced Dawson adds depth. Bashir’s broken finger in the third Test at Lord’s has unfortunately bid his series farewell. The decision to bring in Dawson, rather than a young framer, highlights England’s immediate focus on series momentum and World Test Championship aspirations.

Winning Formula: Stability with Spin Enhancement

England have retained the other ten players from the Lord’s XI, underlining a faith in their core group—batting, bowling, and leadership. Here’s the full playing XI for Manchester:

Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Ollie Pope
Joe Root, Harry Brook
Ben Stokes (c)
Jamie Smith (wk)
Liam Dawson
Chris Woakes
Brydon Carse
Jofra Archer

Batting Lineup: Firepower Mixed with Class

England’s top six remain robust: Duckett and Crawley continue their patient starts, while Pope, Root, and Brook promise both stability and intensity. The bounce-friendly Old Trafford pitch could favour stroke play, but technique and temperament remain paramount in a high-pressure setting.

Ben Stokes’ leadership at number six offers dynamism and game oversight. He’s capable of altering innings with the bat or ball and remains England’s heartbeat.

Watch out for Jamie Smith, whose glovework and batting resilience are vital. His growing synergy with spinners up the pitch could be a key tactical advantage.

Pace Battery: A Balanced Trio

Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Jofra Archer form a potent seam attack. Woakes brings experience and accuracy, Carse offers fresh pace and bounce, and Archer’s thunderbolts could shake confidence early on—especially if England attack with new ball pressure.

Together, they offer a varied seam package capable of exploiting Manchester’s swing-friendly conditions.

The Dawson Factor: Why He Matters

Dawson’s inclusion is more than a fill-in; he’s a match-shaper. His flighted left-arm spin offers a distinct change of pace, angle, and trajectory, particularly valuable in the middle overs where finger spinners often exert control. Expect him to bowl in tandem with stiffer conditions—either a pitch with gripping turn or a shake under overcast skies.

At 35, Dawson brings Test maturity—something a newcomer wouldn’t offer. His awareness of game management, pace variation, and pressure handling makes him a tactical jewel. Even with Bashir sidelined, this choice signals England’s readiness to invest risk-wise in the series’ later stages.

Tactical Matchups at Manchester

India have already adapted to England’s pace-heavy attack, but Dawson’s spin addition poses new questions:

Stokes and Woakes vs India’s tail: Are they expected to pick up wickets or act as containing options?
Dawson vs Jadeja & Sundar/Bowling vs Jadeja/Sundar: As India reveal more left-arm spin in their lineup, the battle at Old Trafford becomes a spinner’s skirmish.

England will likely bowl first, with pace upfront and Dawson coming into the attack post-seam phase to bridge overs and neutralize established batsmen before the second new ball.

Batting-wise, England’s middle order knows spin well. Crawley and Pope’s familiarity with flight and turn, alongside Root and Brook’s reading of spin trajectories, will be tested by India’s counter-adjustments.

What This Means for England’s WTC Toy-chest

Beyond just a series, this Test helps England further their World Test Championship campaign. A series-clinching win in Manchester would significantly boost their points percentage and ranking. Dawson’s recall reflects a calculated gambit—prioritizing tournament control over speculative experimentation.

Similarly, his presence enhances England’s spin bench strength if conditions or match situations change. Considering the WTC rules reward series victories over single strong performances, this inclusion is a statement of intent.

From India’s perspective, adapting to Dawson’s unique skillset—left-arm spin flighted and controlled—won’t be easy under pressure. It heightens the contest’s intrigue.

England Voices on the Selection

Ben Stokes, in media, praised Dawson’s form and value:

“He’s in great shape, has been outstanding for Hampshire. His experience can help balance our attack. We trust him coming into a big Test like this.”

Joe Root added:

“Left-arm spin offers a different challenge. Dawson’s track record in county runs and wickets speaks volumes. He’ll slot right in.”

Dawson, on his return:

“Walking back into an England Test XI felt special. I’m hungry to contribute and help the team wrap this series up.”

Old Trafford Conditions & Forecast

Old Trafford is known for early swing, occasional seam movement, and bounce. As the Test wears on, pitches may cut up, sharpening spinners’ grip—ideal timing for Dawson’s phase of use. The overhead conditions and forecasts of cloud cover could provide early-trouble spells for batsmen.

Weather remains mixed: cool, humid mornings, clearing up mid-Test. Slight drizzle is possible, but play interruptions are unlikely.

India’s Counter-Thinking

India have already faced England’s seam-heavy attack, albeit with damage control rather than dominance. Dawson forces them to consider rewriting plans—not just pace options, but spin strategy too.

They may counter by strengthening their lineup with extra spin or altering batting positions to expose his overs. The key lies in game management—from pitch assessment to shot selection.

A batting collapse could lead to reliance on Jadeja or Sundar for extra economy spells. Meanwhile, England’s bowling plan must include smart rotation of seamers, managing spells during mid-innings, and launching precise spin-led traps.

Tactical Chess: Key Matchups

Matchup	Key Focus
Dawson vs Jadeja/Sundar	Left-arm duel—angle and counterplay
Woakes vs Indian Tail	Containment and handy wickets
Carse/Archer vs Indian Top-6	New ball hawk role
Root/Brook vs Bumrah/Siraj	Test of spin reading & patience
Stokes (bat) vs India’s seamers	Middle-order anchor/showdown

Match Outlook & Prediction

🔷 England: With Dawson reinforcing spin and a consistent batting unit, they are well-placed. If conditions offer any grip, he could be the difference.
🔴 India: Once again reminded why subcontinental teams must adapt to cooler, grippier venues. Their resilience at Lord’s shows they can stand up.

Prediction: England to win if their seamers strike early and Dawson contains effectively in stalled overs. Expect a tight Test, but England hold the slight edge.

Big Picture: Series Bonus & WTC Impact

A 3–1 lead would close England’s WTC campaign strongly, boosting morale and ranking ahead of future Test series against West Indies and Australia.

For India, recovering to 2–2 remains possible—largely decided by how well they decode Dawson and maintain their Lord’s momentum.

Either way, Old Trafford sets the stage for Test cricket’s rich blend of skill, strategy, and storytelling—electric under pressure, refined in thought, exact in execution.

Final Thoughts

England’s lineup choice blends the familiar with the strategic. Dawson’s return is both welcome and provocative. Will he seize center stage? Will India neutralize his effect? And can England funnel that into a series-clinching performance on WTC’s world stage?

Whichever way it goes, Manchester is poised to deliver cricket at its finest—an inside duel, a personal reckoning, and a cricketing outcome that could tilt on cunning spin or aggressive seam.

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