England call up veteran spinner Liam Dawson to replace Bashir for fourth Test with India

England have recalled Liam Dawson for next week’s fourth Rothesay Test against India, with the spinning all-rounder replacing the injured Shoaib Bashir. The 35-year-old made the last of his three Test appearances eight years ago, but looks set for an unexpected return at Old Trafford after Bashir’s withdrawal.

Bashir took the match-winning wicket in a tense finish at Lord’s on Monday, having already broken the little finger on his left hand. He is set for surgery in the coming days and will miss the remainder of the series. Dawson has been picked ahead of his fellow left-armer Jack Leach, despite the latter being centrally contracted.

An England and Wales Cricket Board statement read: “The England men’s selection panel has added Hampshire spinner Liam Dawson to the squad for the fourth Test match against India at Emirates Old Trafford. The slow left-armer replaces Somerset spinner Shoaib Bashir, who sustained a broken finger during England’s third Test victory over India at Lord’s.

“The 35-year-old Dawson last played Test cricket for England in July 2017 and will be looking to add to his three caps. He has been a consistent performer for Hampshire over several years and was named PCA [Professional Cricketers’ Association] Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024.”

England men’s national selector, Luke Wright, said: “Liam Dawson deserves his call-up. He has been in outstanding form in the County Championship and consistently puts in strong performances for Hampshire.”

The seam bowlers Sam Cook of Essex, who caught Jasprit Bumrah as a substitute fielder at Lord’s for the penultimate wicket, and Jamie Overton of Surrey, have returned to their respective counties to play in the County Championship.