The 4th Test IND vs ENG is building up to be a high-stakes contest, and just days before the match, England have made a big change—Liam Dawson has been recalled to replace the injured Shoaib Bashir. As India lead the series 2-1, this squad update brings fresh interest for fans, analysts, and Bettors alike.
Surprising? Yeah. But also kind of smart.
What This Really Means
England didn’t have a lot of options. Jack Leach is still recovering. Bashir was doing the job. They needed someone who can bowl tight, not panic under pressure, and maybe chip in with 30 runs if the top six mess it up again.
So they went with Dawson. Solid domestic numbers. White-ball veteran. Knows how to work a dry pitch. More importantly, he won’t try to do too much—and that’s exactly what England need right now.
The 4th Test IND vs ENG starts on July 23 at Old Trafford, and the math is simple. India win—they take the series. England win—it’s game on. Dawson might not be the main act, but he could absolutely influence the final script.
Why This Pick Makes Sense
Think about what Old Trafford gives you. Bounce. Grip. And by Day 3, that pitch starts whispering to the spinners. Not screaming like in Chennai—but enough to matter.
Dawson bowls fast through the air, straight at the stumps. He’s not going to rip it big, but he keeps it tight. He builds pressure. And he can do it for 25 overs a day if you need him to. That’s the kind of spinner who wins you long matches.
England’s Dilemma
Let’s not pretend things are great in their camp. The batting’s brittle. Stokes is still part-captain, part-physio. The bowlers are doing their job but burning out. And now they’ve lost the one young spinner who was actually turning heads.
Bringing back someone who’s been there, done that, and still has rhythm in his game? It’s not bold. It’s practical.
What India Will Do About It
India won’t blink. They’ve got form, confidence, and a bowling unit that smells weakness. Don’t expect them to change much. Their top order will go after Dawson the moment he comes on. They’ll try to push his length, test his patience, and drag him out of rhythm.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Dawson doesn’t give you much to hit. He’s not flashy, and that makes him dangerous when a batter gets too greedy.
Let’s Talk Cricket Betting Tips
If you’re following this Test from a punting point of view, this selection actually opens up a few angles. Liam Dawson is unlikely to be the top pick in pre-match odds. That’s your edge.
He won’t be in the “top bowler” spotlight—but he might sneak a couple of key wickets in the second innings when the pitch starts to bite.
You’re also looking at value bets on all-round performance. Maybe not a fifty. Maybe not a five-for. But a gritty 28 and 2/45? That’s enough to turn a profit if you back the right markets.
Keep your eyes on:
- First innings economy-based wagers
- Under-the-radar bowler props
- Session-based satta where pressure bowling matters
- Bowling partnerships—how England rotate Dawson with seamers
At CricketBettingTips.org, we’ll be tracking those shifts, especially after the toss. And yeah, the toss matters.
Toss Prediction: Don’t Ignore It
At Old Trafford, the toss isn’t a minor coin flip. It can set the entire tone. Bat first, get to 350+, and you control the tempo. Bowl first, and you better grab wickets before lunch or it’s a long five days.
We’ve seen it time and again—batting gets harder here after Day 2. The cracks widen, the bounce becomes awkward, and if there’s a decent spinner in play, they start enjoying themselves.
That’s where Dawson fits in. If England bowl second, he might become their anchor during the long Indian innings. If they bowl first, expect to see him come on after 30 overs to dry things up and wear down set batters.
Our toss prediction model at CricketBettingTips.org uses pitch history, weather behavior, and captain decisions. It’s more than just a guess—it’s data-driven. And it feeds directly into how we build our match prediction for each Test.
Match Prediction: Gut Meets Logic
Now, let’s get to it. Who’s ahead going into the 4th Test IND vs ENG?
Right now, it’s India. No spin. They’ve been more consistent. Their batting has firepower and grit. And their bowlers know how to squeeze an advantage until it breaks.
But England aren’t out. Old Trafford has been kind to them. They’ve won big here before. And Dawson’s inclusion gives them a shot at controlling the game better, especially if the quicks start well.
So here’s your edge: watch the first 30 overs. That’ll tell you everything. If England break through early, they’ll dictate terms. If India survive the new ball, they’ll bat long and take control.
Our call? Slight edge to India—unless the pitch surprises.
Odds, Edges, and Real Bets
Don’t get lost chasing big odds. Look at role players. Look at how conditions shift. That’s where the wins are.
Cricket odds right now may underrate Dawson’s role. If he’s used well—tight overs, lower-order wickets, and maybe a dogfight 35 with the bat—he’ll beat his lines.
Watch for:
- Dawson to take 2+ wickets in the match
- Unders on run rate when he’s bowling
- Match session bets when England slow things down
- Smart bets on who lasts longer: Dawson’s economy vs India’s middle order
Again, it’s not about headlines. It’s about reading the rhythm of the match. And CricketBettingTips.org is built to help you do exactly that.
Final Word
This isn’t just another Test match. It’s a swing point. If India win, it’s their series. Simple. If England bounce back, it’s 2-2 and suddenly everything feels wide open again. And in the middle of all that? A 35-year-old all-rounder with something to prove and nothing to lose.