England’s fast bowler Mark Wood aims to return for the fifth and final test of the ongoing series against India -led India. However, the plans of the team led by Ben Stokes have been affected, as they have not recovered on time to be available for selection for final tests in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Mark Wood has been sidelined with a knee injury during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where the England came out at the group’s stage. During his radio commentary duties in the series opener in Leeds, Wood hoped to return for a final test at the Oval starting from 31 July.
Play XI for the 4th Test in Manchester England’s name; Leave Mark Wood, Gas Atkinson
England have named their playing XI for the fourth Test against India, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, 23 July at Old Trafford, Manchester. The hosts, who have carried on the series 2–1, have made a change from the previous game, remembering Liam Dawson, which is set to play his first Test in eight years.
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Dawson replaced the injured Shoaib Bashir for the upcoming match. Chris Woakes has maintained its place in front of Gas Atkinson, who is still achieving match fitness after hamstring injury.
Atkinson has only painted in club-level cricket in the last two months, while Vox has an impressive test record in Old Trafford, 37 with BAT and 17 with balls.
Mark Wood dropped out of fifth Test vs India
According to a Telegraph report, Mark Wood has been excluded from the fifth and final test against India. With the Ashes Tour played later this year, England is taking a cautious approach to manage Wood’s knee injury. Oli Stone has already been sidelined for the season with a knee issue.
Mark Wood has expressed his curiosity to be a part of the Ashes squad as England have seen the England look to win their first series in Australia since 2010/11.
The fast bowler has taken 119 wickets out of 37 tests, which include an average of 30.42, which includes five-five-wicket haws. However, his record against India has been less impressive, with only nine wickets in four matches at an average of 50.33.
England Lead India ahead of the fourth Test important in Manchester 2-1
The test chain between England and India is 2–1 in favor of the hosts after three matches. England opened with an exciting win in Headingley, chasing 371 in the fourth innings – the tenth most successful chase in testing history.
India bounced back with an incredible attempt in Edgbaston, winning 336 runs-his biggest foreign victory from the winning and Test Triumph at the venue for the first time.
However, India again stumbled in the third Test at Lord’s, fallen less in the chase of 193 runs and lost by 22 runs despite being in a strong position.
Shubman Gill’s side will aim to bounce back to a ground where he tasted success. India has conducted four tests in five and Old Trafford, which works to make the series a difficult.
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