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Anderson was rested for England’s victory in the third Test at Headingley after taking three wickets at 75.33 in the first two Tests of the series, but will return in place of Ollie Robinson in England’s only personnel change.
Moeen made only 5 in his new role, but the change was vindicated by Brook’s 75 in a more familiar position. England have retained the same batting order, with Ben Stokes due to come in at No. 6 and Jonny Bairstow keeping wicket and batting at No. 7.
Stokes, England’s captain, hinted at Anderson’s inclusion in Manchester before the Headingley Test, saying Anderson would have the opportunity to get some rest and prepare “to charge in from the James Anderson End at Old Trafford next week”.
Anderson returned from a groin injury, sustained playing for Lancashire, at the start of the series and was some way short of his best. But Stuart Broad, his long-time new-ball partner, believes that Anderson was “unlucky” with both the timing of his injury and the pitches.
“At Lord’s, we had six of the best bowlers in the world bowling cross-seam bouncers, which tells you all you need to know about what the pitch was offering from a good length,” Broad wrote in his Mail on Sunday column.
“But Jimmy has been one of the world’s best bowlers for a long time and he can put those issues behind him. He’s bowled goodness knows how many overs at Old Trafford and I’m expecting a big performance from him in a high-pressure game.”
Anderson himself acknowledged in his Telegraph column last week that his selection for the Old Trafford Test could not be governed by “nostalgia”, even though he conceded that, with his 41st birthday approaching this month, it might be his final opportunity to play on his Lancashire home ground.
Meanwhile, Moeen’s promotion to No. 3 came about when, on the third evening of the third Test, he approached Brendon McCullum and suggested a reshuffle. “We thought that him coming in at No. 3, he was able to impact the game more than he would be at No. 7,” Stokes explained.
Stokes said that the move epitomised the “selfless” approach he looked for from his team. “I just love the fact that Mo is willing to put himself in those situations; that he wants to get out there and help the team in a positive way… Mo going to Baz and saying, ‘I want the opportunity’ is everything that we’re about as a team.”
England XI for fourth Test: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Moeen Ali, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Mark Wood, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James Anderson
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