England have made one change to their team for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia, with fast bowler James Anderson replacing Ollie Robinson in the side that won at Headingley.
The fourth Test begins on Wednesday at Old Trafford, Anderson’s home ground, where England must win to level the series. Australia lead the series 2-1 and even a draw would see them retain the urn.
Anderson, England’s leading wicket-taker in Tests (688), was rested for the third game after the 40-year-old struggled to make an impact with three scalps in the first two matches.
Robinson makes way after he was injured in the third Test, suffering from back spasms which saw him bowl only 11.2 overs in the first innings. He did not bowl in the second innings with Chris Woakes sharing the new ball with Stuart Broad.
Despite Robinson writing in a Wisden column that he was “100 per cent fit for Manchester”, England have gone with Anderson’s experience while Mark Wood and Chris Woakes retain their places after they led the hosts to victory in Headingley.
Spinner Moeen Ali is also expected to bat at No.3 again after it allowed Harry Brook to play a match-winning knock at No. 5 in the third Test.
England XI: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonathan Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
Reuters
