England have recalled spinner Liam Dawson for next week’s fourth Test against India after the injured Shoaib Bashir was ruled out for the rest of the series.
Dawson made the last of his three Test appearances eight years ago, but the 35-year-old is in line for an unexpected return to the international stage at Old Trafford.
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Despite having already broken the little finger on his left hand, Bashir took the winning wicket in a dramatic finish to England’s 22-run victory over India in the third Test at Lord’s on Monday.
Bashir is set for surgery in the coming days and will miss the remainder of the five-match series, with England holding a 2-1 lead before the next Test in Manchester.
Dawson’s recall comes after his outstanding form in county cricket for Hampshire.
The left-armer has been named the Professional Cricketers’ Association Player of the Year in the past two seasons.
Dawson was part of the England squad that won the 50-over World Cup in 2019.
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After three years out of the England setup, he made his international return in the T20 series against West Indies earlier this summer.
Dawson has been picked ahead of fellow left-armer Jack Leach, despite the latter being centrally contracted.
Leach was replaced as England’s first-choice spinner by Bashir last year, although he featured in three Tests in Pakistan and was part of the squad that toured New Zealand over the winter.
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