England have called up Liam Dawson to replace the injured Shoaib Bashir in the fourth Test against India.
The Three Lions take on the Men in Blue at Old Trafford on Wednesday, as Brendon McCullum names an unchanged line-up, bar Dawson’s inclusion.
Bashir was the match-winner in the third Test as he snatched the decisive wicket to dismiss Mohammed Siraj and secure a 22-run victory for the hosts.
It eked England’s noses in front in the series, leading 2-1 after victories at Headingley and Lord’s to sandwich the defeat at Edgbaston.
Now, the hosts can seal series victory with a final win in Manchester, although they will have to do it without their off-break bowler.
Instead, McCullum and Stokes have plumped for left-arm spinner Dawson, who plays his county cricket for Hampshire.
He is in the Test picture for the first time since 2017, with Bashir set to miss the remaining Tests due to needing surgery on a fractured finger.
Captain Stokes was ace with the ball in hand on the final day at Lord’s last time out, taking three wickets to skittle India for 170.
