England’s left-arm spinner Liam Dawson has made a surprise return to the national Test team after eight years. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed his inclusion for the fourth Test against India, set to begin on Wednesday at Old Trafford.
Dawson replaces Shoaib Bashir, who has been ruled out due to injury. Bashir fractured his finger during the third Test at Lord’s, which England won by 22 runs. The win gave England a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
The 35-year-old Dawson last played a Test match in July 2017. That game marked his third Test appearance. Despite his long absence from the red-ball format, Dawson has stayed active in England’s white-ball setup. He was part of the 2019 World Cup-winning squad, although he did not play in any matches. More recently, he featured in the T20I series against the West Indies in June.
Dawson plays domestic cricket for Hampshire and is known for his all-round abilities. His inclusion is the only change in England’s playing XI for the upcoming Test. Team management hopes his experience will add balance and depth to the side.
England’s current squad for the fourth Test includes:
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.
With England leading the series 2-1, a win at Old Trafford would seal their first five-match Test series victory since 2018. The team’s performance under captain Ben Stokes has shown strong intent and resilience, especially in close contests.
Dawson’s return adds another layer of interest to this crucial match. Fans and experts alike will be watching to see if his experience can help secure the series for England.
This match will also be a major opportunity for Dawson to prove his worth at the international level once again after years away from Test cricket.
England brings back Dawson after 8 years, showing trust in experience. Meanwhile, Pakistan football gets a boost with Solano’s appointment.
