Dawson returns, Archer and Bumrah set to go again

Dawson, who played for Melbourne Stars in the 2023/24 BBL and enjoyed a white-ball international recall earlier this year, won the last of his three Test caps in July 2017. 

He is the only change to the England team that took a 2-1 series lead at Lord's.

That means Jofra Archer is set to play back-to-back Tests having not played a Test in the previous four years and only one red-ball match since the summer of 2021. 

After a week off England have no concerns about his readiness to go again on Wednesday.

India will retain their own pace ace, Jasprit Bumrah, according to fellow quick Mohammed Siraj.

The world's top-ranked bowler had been earmarked for three Tests to manage his workload and he has already featured in India's defeats at Headingley and at Lord's last week.

But, with doubts over the availability of another seamer in Akash Deep owing to a groin injury, India are going all in on Bumrah now rather than hold him back for next week's final Test.

"So far, we only know that Jassi (Bumrah) will play," said Siraj.

The tourists must make at least one change as Nitish Kumar Reddy will miss the last two Tests because of a knee injury, with the allrounder set to return home to start his rehabilitation.

India are also sweating on the fitness of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who suffered a finger injury at Lord's,  although he could feature as a specialist batter.

Meanwhile, it is understood Mark Wood's hopes of being available for the fifth Test have been dashed.

Initially ruled out for four months following knee surgery in March, Wood rated himself as "50/50" for a potential decider at the Oval, but he will now target the later white-ball matches against South Africa for his England return.

ENGLAND (to play India in the fourth Test)

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

with PA