Hosts England name playing XI for Manchester Test, make only one change from Lord’s

While the Indian management is contemplating host of changes due to injuries and conditions, the England team has already announced their playing XI for the Manchester Test, two days before the match. Ben Stokes opted for just one change, Shoaib Bashir went out, while left-arm spinner Liam Dawson comes in his place.

Shoaib Bashir Out, Liam Dawson IN

The biggest surprise of them all was, the team continued to show faith in Zak Crawley, who has been nothing short of poor in the series. In three matches he has scored 128 runs at an average of 21. On the other hand, there was murmurs about resting Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes for the fourth Test, but England continued with the winning combination.

There were a few question marks over Jofra Archer’s availability as well, but the skipper has backed his most-feared bowler. Jofra played his first Test at Lord’s, in over four years, and delivered with a six-wicket haul in the match. Unfortunately, Gus Atkinson once again missed out on a berth in the XI, despite being England’s most promising bowler in the last couple of years.

Coming back to Liam Dawson, the veteran is a proper all-rounder, who can offer a lot with the bat as well, unlike Bashir. He is returning to the Test fold after a gap of eight years, having played his last, way back in 2017.

England Playing XI

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