After an eight-year hiatus, spinner Liam Dawson is set to make a thrilling return to Test cricket as England’s only tweak for the fourth Test against India at Emirates Old Trafford. Stepping in for the injured Shoaib Bashir.
Bashir, who heroically took the decisive wicket despite a broken finger from the first innings of the Lord’s Test, has undergone surgery with a wire inserted in his left pinkie to aid recovery, ruling him out of the remainder of the series. This opens the door for Dawson, who last donned the England Test cap in July 2017 against South Africa, to earn his fourth appearance.
The 35-year-old Hampshire stalwart(Liam Dawson) brings an impressive record, boasting 371 first-class wickets, with a remarkable surge since 2021, including 12 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket match hauls. Since 2023, he’s claimed 124 dismissals at an average of 25.64 for Hampshire, complemented by 956 runs at 59.75 last year, earning him the prestigious men’s PCA Player of the Year award. This summer, Dawson has notched 21 wickets at 40.04 (economy 2.55) and 536 runs at 44.66, with nine first-class hundreds in the last five seasons, including three each in 2023 and 2024. His recent T20I comeback against West Indies, where he took 4 for 20 under captain Harry Brook, signals his resurgence.
Brook praised Dawson’s inclusion, saying, “He’s a crafty veteran with tons of experience and skill. Having faced every challenge, I’m hoping he delivers a standout performance this week. His left-arm spin could exploit the footholes and create wicket-taking chances, and his team spirit is a bonus.”
England are taking a cautious approach with Gus Atkinson, who’s recovering from a May hamstring injury sustained against Zimbabwe. Despite being added to the squad for the third Test, the management is hesitant to rush him back, especially with a soft outfield due to recent rain. This keeps Chris Woakes in the XI, despite his modest series stats—seven wickets at 56.42 and 60 runs from five innings. Woakes’ strong Old Trafford record (35 wickets at 17.37, 221 runs at 36.83) has secured his spot over Atkinson.
The unchanged batting order, bolstered by Dawson at number eight, sets England up for a potential series-clinching performance starting July 23, 2025.
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