England Playing XI for Manchester Test announced, surprise name returns after 7-year absence

On Monday, July 21, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the playing XI of the England National Cricket Team for the fourth Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.

The fourth Test of the five-match series between the India National Cricket Team and the England National Cricket Team is all set to be played from July 23 at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Liam Dawson replaces Shoaib Bashir in England's Playing XI

The England National Cricket Team have made just one change to their playing XI for the Manchester Test as the spinner Shoaib Bashir has been replaced by Liam Dawson.

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Shoaib Bashir, who shattered the hearts of billions of Indians by dismissing Mohammed Siraj to seal a victory for the Three Lions in the Lord's Test, has been ruled out of the fourth and fifth Tests due to a hand injury.

His replacement, Hampshire spinner Liam Dawson, has been performing consistently in domestic cricket and is set to make his first Test appearance since July 2017.

Meanwhile, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will continue as openers and will be followed by Ollie Pope and Joe Root at No.3 and No.4. Harry Brook, skipper Ben Stokes, and wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith take the next three spots in the playing XI.

Also, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Jofra Archer have been named as the three frontline pacers as Gus Atkinson missed out on selection.

"England Men have made one change to their XI for the Rothesay Fourth Test against India at Emirates Old Trafford, starting on Wednesday, July 23," the ECB said in an official statement.

"Hampshire spinner Liam Dawson replaces the injured Shoaib Bashir. This will be Dawson’s first Test appearance since July 2017," the ECB added.

England Playing XI For Manchester Test

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

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It was the best game that I've been involved in with England - Brydon Carse on Lord's win

Speaking ahead of the Manchester Test, English pacer Brydon Carse said that the Lord's Test against India was the best game he has played so far in his international career.

He added that he was absolutely delighted after the ball rolled onto the stumps to dismiss Mohammed Siraj and India lost 10 wickets. Brydon Carse said:

"You wanted to fall to your knees, almost. It was unbelievable, after all the hard work that the group put in over those five days. It was the best game that I've been involved in with England.

"And, from speaking to the guys who've played a lot of franchise cricket and Tests, like Harry Brook, who I get on really well with, he was saying that's his best Test win. So to hear that among the group, and to share those thoughts after the game, was a special feeling," Carse told ESPN Cricinfo.

"Once we got off that field and walked through the Long Room, it was an incredible atmosphere … really loud."