England Playing XI for 4th 2019 Ashes Test: Joe Root confirms massive change ahead of Old Trafford Test vs Australia

England Playing XI for 4th 2019 Ashes Test: England have finally announced their Playing XI for the imminent fourth Test against Australia.

Having announced a 13-member squad for the imminent fourth 2019 Ashes Test against Australia, England have announced their Playing XI on the eve of the match in Manchester.

Coming on the back of a nerve-wrenching 1-wicket victory against Australia in the third Test at Headingley, England were expected to field the winning combination at Old Trafford tomorrow but not to be. The solitary change made by the hosts sees Craig Overton replacing Chris Woakes.

ALSO READ: Australia announce 12-member squad for Old Trafford Test

Having made his Test debut during Ashes 2017 in Adelaide, Overton has picked seven wickets in three Tests at an average of 42.28, an economy rate of 3.52 and a strike rate of 72. In eight matches in the County season this year, Overton has dismissed 32 batsmen at an average of 21.34, an economy rate of 2.79 and a strike rate of 45.8.

Much like Woakes, even Overton can contribute well with the bat in hand. In three Test so far, Woakes had dismissed nine batsmen at an average of 29, an economy rate of 3.34 and a strike rate of 52. With Woakes contributing decent with the bat as well, him getting benched is bit of a surprise.

“At this ground I think it does perform slightly differently. That extra bit of bounce of a taller bowler and it gives us a slightly different option to go to. I feel like that balances our attack out really well in these conditions,” England captain Joe Root was quoted as saying to reporters during the pre-match press conference.

England Playing XI for 4th 2019 Ashes Test

Overton ✅
Woakes ❌

England have made one change for the fourth Test #Ashes pic.twitter.com/l29AfBBbkI

— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 3, 2019

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Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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