England make one change for fourth Ashes Test as James Anderson decision made

17 July 2023 , 08:43

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James Anderson has been recalled (Image: PA)

England have recalled James Anderson for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia, with the veteran seamer replacing Ollie Robinson.

Robinson only bowled 11.2 overs in the third Test at Headingley after suffering a back spasm, but was retained in the squad and declared himself "100 percent fit" for the Old Trafford Test. However, England have opted to bring back Anderson for the must-win game, with the 40-year-old set to steam in from the James Anderson end.

He may have struggled in the first two Tests, picking up three wickets at an uncharacteristically high average of 75.33, but Anderson is confident he will be back to his best in Manchester. "All I want to do is try to be involved with this team again and make an impact on the field and contribute towards an England win that would level the series," he wrote in his latest column for the Telegraph.

"I will take the nostalgia element out of it and just focus on the cricket and having a good time on the field. I feel good mentally and physically better after the break."

Moeen Ali, meanwhile, has been named at number three as England continue to tweak their line-up to cope with the loss of Ollie Pope, who injured his shoulder in the second Test at Lord's. Harry Brook was promoted to three in the first innings at Headingley, but scored just three runs.

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However, he was moved back to his favoured number five spot in the second innings after Moeen volunteered to bat at three instead and Brook went on to make a crucial 75 which helped England win the match and level the series. "Mo always wants to impact the game," captain Ben Stokes said of the move.

"He said to Brendon [McCullum] last night that he wanted to take them on and have a crack at No. 3. He felt like he could have an impact up the order." And England have decided to stick with Moeen as their number three, with the move ensuring the likes of Brook and Joe Root get to bat in their best positions while also strengthening England's bowling options.

England make one change for fourth Ashes Test as James Anderson decision made

Moeen Ali will continue to bat at three after volunteering for the job in the second innings at Headingley (PA)

England are currently 2-1 down in what has been a highly entertaining and closely fought series and they will need to win at Old Trafford to set up a mouthwatering decider at the Oval. And Stokes is confident England have what it takes to complete a stunning comeback and win the Ashes 3-2.

"The first two didn't go our way," he said. "If you sort of flip it round and we didn't win this one and it's tight again, you would think, 'It's just not meant to be'. We're obviously over the moon that we won this one but it's just the start of what we know we need to do.

"We've kept the series alive and we just have to park everything from this week, but continue the way we play. I said last week we find ourselves in the perfect position with the way we play cricket. It doesn't change. After the Lord's game and before this game, before the game in Manchester, we just have to do exactly the same thing: play cricket that gets a result, our way."