England name playing XI for fourth Test against India

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the playing XI for the fourth Test against India, set to begin on Wednesday at Old Trafford, Manchester.

The major change in the lineup is the return of left-arm spinner and all-rounder Liam Dawson, who replaces Shoaib Bashir. Bashir has been ruled out for the rest of the series after suffering a fractured finger.

Dawson last played a Test match in 2017 and made his debut against India in December 2016. He was brought back into the side following his impressive performance in the ongoing County Championship, where he has claimed 21 wickets in nine matches for Hampshire.

The rest of the lineup remains unchanged from the third Test, where England defeated India by 22 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

In the third Test, India were chasing a target of 193 runs but were bowled out for 170. Ravindra Jadeja played a fighting knock, remaining unbeaten on 61 off 181 balls, but could not take his side over the line.

England's bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Archer removed Rishabh Pant early on fifth day and later dismissed Washington Sundar for a duck. Stokes took the important wicket of KL Rahul, who scored 39. Despite lower-order resistance from Jadeja, Reddy and Bumrah, India fell short.

England playing XI for fourth Test:

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