England has announced their playing XI for the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, with James Anderson replacing Ollie Robinson in the lineup. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the change in a statement, stating that Lancashire seamer Anderson would come in for Sussex seamer Robinson, who suffered a back spasm during the team’s victory in the third Test at Headingley.
Despite his injury, Robinson had declared his availability for the fourth Ashes Test earlier this week. However, England has decided to bring in the experienced Anderson in his place. Robinson bowled only 11.2 overs at Headingley before his injury, although he had a brief batting cameo and fielded in Australia’s second innings.
In another show of faith, England has retained Jonny Bairstow as the wicketkeeper for the fourth Ashes Test. Bairstow has struggled with his wicketkeeping, missing eight chances of varying difficulty in the first three matches. He has also only had one significant contribution with the bat, scoring a run-a-ball 78 on the opening day of the series, and has managed just 63 runs overall since then.
Australia currently leads the series 2-1, and England needs to win both of the remaining Tests to reclaim the Ashes urn.
