The fourth Ashes Test between England and Australia live on Sky Sports Cricket starts on Wednesday; England have selected their team for a Test they must win to stay in the running for the Ashes
Wednesday 19 July 2023 09:30, UK
James Anderson will replace Ollie Robinson for the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, starting on Wednesday.
England trail Australia 2-1 in the dramatic series but won the third Test at Headingley to keep themselves in the running to win the Ashes.
Anderson was rested for that Test but has been recalled for the match on his home ground. Robinson was affected by a back spasm at Headingley and bowled 11 overs in the first innings and did not bowl at all in the second.
England XI for fourth Test
Ben Duckett
Zak Crawley
Moeen Ali
Joe Root
Harry Brook
Ben Stokes
Jonathan Bairstow
Chris Woakes
Mark Wood
Stuart Broad
James Anderson
England captain Ben Stokes said prior to the third Test: "It's a good chance for Jimmy to have a rest up and then get ready to charge in from the James Anderson End at Old Trafford."
Anderson, 40, is England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker and has had one end of the Old Trafford ground named after him.
Moeen Ali will also bat at No 3 again, allowing Harry Brook to stay at No 5, where he made a significant contribution of 75 runs to help England win the third Test.
Ali moved up the order after he asked head coach Brendon McCullum if he could bat there.
"When I took the role on I asked for 10 other selfless cricketers," England captain Stokes said post-match at Headingley.
"And that little moment of Mo going to Baz [McCullum] and saying, 'I want the opportunity' is everything that we're about as a team."
It looks like England's practice sessions will be affected by the weather ahead of the third Test.
After thunder was heard overhead on Monday morning, rain began to fall at Old Trafford. The players warming up for practice had to leave the field and will likely need to have their sessions indoors.
Their two practice days look like they will be disrupted with rain. Although conditions are expected to improve for Wednesday and Thursday, the weekend's weather forecast looks bad.
That could be ominous for England who cannot afford to draw this Test. They need to win this match to have a chance at winning the series. A drawn series would mean Australia, as holders, would retain the Ashes.
Sky Sports News' James Cole says: "Ollie Robinson says he's 100 per cent fit but given the workload he's been getting through and the fact that he's got a history of back spasms as well from last winter, England are being cautious with Robinson and Anderson replaces him.
"Ben Stokes is at No 6. It'll be interesting to see how much he'll bowl. He didn't bowl at Headingley but he's had a rest.
"England have gone early, a statement of intent, they've named their team [on Monday]."
Watch day one of the fourth Ashes Test between England and Australia live on Sky Sports Cricket on Wednesday July 19. Build-up begins at 10am, ahead of the first ball at 11am. You can stream the men's and women's Ashes series on NOW.
