Returning Liam Dawson looks towards a ‘big day’ for England as Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant stretchered from field in fourth Test
Updated 23/07/2025 at 21:44 GMT+1
Liam Dawson returned to Test cricket after an eight-year gap representing England in red-ball matches, and struck to take a wicket as India were reduced to 264-4. Dawson said he would make the most of his time back in the fray, but there were worries for the visitors when Rishabh Pant retired hurt. The wicketkeeper was stretchered off after being struck on the foot.
Liam Dawson
Image credit: Getty Images
England's veteran spinner Liam Dawson savoured a wicket on his return to Test cricket, with India on 264-4 and potentially in trouble after Rishabh Pant retired hurt on the opening day of the fourth Test.
England may have just edged the first day after taking four wickets on an overcast first day against their opponents, but India were also dealt a blow by an injury to Pant, which saw the batsman retire.
The moody conditions gave England something to work with, assisted by a helpful pitch, but India’s batsmen contributed meaningfully without any of them kicking on to a century.
Yashasvi Jaiswal hit a patient 58 when Dawson struck after an eight-year absence from Test cricket. KL Rahul was four short of his half-century when he edged Chris Woakes after he ramped up the pressure with an exacting spell.
At 35, Dawson told the BBC that he was intending to make the most of what may be a brief return to Test cricket.
He said: "I'm a little bit tired, back into it, it's very different to domestic cricket, but I think we had a decent day, we’ve got a big morning tomorrow with the new ball."
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"It’s nice to get that wicket, he’s a very good player. To get that wicket was really nice and to contribute to the team. It's just the ball I try to bowl around fourth stump. I bowled my best ball and luckily he nicked it."
"You can’t compare it to domestic cricket, this is a lot different to that. I've played a bit of franchise cricket and international cricket in T20, so I know what it's about and obviously, Test cricket is a little bit harder. I'm a little bit tired, but big day tomorrow."
"You play in big games and accept the pressure that that brings. I think that's a big thing that I've managed to learn over the years, but Test cricket is completely different to any white ball cricket. So it doesn't prepare you for that, but it's nice to be back involved."
"I think the age I’ve got to, if I'm honest, I didn't think I'd play again, it's not something that I'd worry about. I just tried to enjoy my cricket, which I've made pretty clear. It's cool to be back involved, I've got to try and enjoy each day I'm involved and playing for England."
Pant ended the day on 37 runs in a doughty display alongside Sai Sudharsan, but an attempted reverse sweep against Woakes saw him struck on the right foot.
The batsman required treatment on the field, and he retired hurt, with no clarity over his potential return for the rest of the match.
If he were to miss the second innings, then the 27-year-old’s absence could give England a decisive advantage over the next four days.
Pant was also India’s pick as wicketkeeper, which might lead to some readjustment on the field for the visitors if he is not fit enough to take up that role when England come to bat.
Pant was unable to keep wicket for a part of the third Test due to a finger injury, but he was stretchered off at Old Trafford, which suggests the problem may be more severe.
Sudharsan was dropped on 20 by Jamie Smith, but was eventually caught by Ben Stokes for 61 runs after he hooked to long leg.
Captain Stokes claimed the wicket of India’s captain Shubman Gill lbw.
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