England Announces Team for Manchester Test: Dawson Brought Back to Replace Bashir

July 22, 2025: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced its playing XI for the upcoming fourth Test match against India, starting Wednesday, and confirmed that Shoaib Bashir will miss the game due to injury. In his absence, England has included a spinner making a Test return after eight years, with no other changes to the lineup. Bashir sustained his injury during the third Test at Lord's after taking a critical wicket, leading to the ECB's decision to rule him out of the next match.

An Opportunity for Dawson

Liam Dawson has been called up to the England Test team by the ECB, replacing Shoaib Bashir. Dawson, who has not played a Test in eight years, has been included in the playing XI by captain Ben Stokes. The left-arm spinner made his debut in 2016 against India but has played only three Tests overall. His return follows impressive performances in domestic cricket, and aside from Dawson's inclusion, the squad remains unchanged from the previous match at Lord's.

England's Playing XI

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