James Anderson returns as England name playing XI for 4th Ashes 2023 Test against Australia

James Anderson got benched in the Leeds test after picking only 3 wickets in the first two tests.

Veteran pacer James Anderson has returned back to England team as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named the playing XI for the fourth Test match against Australia in the ongoing Ashes 2023.

The match will be played from July 19 at Old Trafford in Manchester. The hosts are currently trailing 1-2 in the series, however, they will come in the Manchester Test having won the third Test in Leeds.

Ollie Robinson, who had broken down in the third Test and left England short of bowling alternatives, is replaced in the playing XI by veteran James Anderson. After collecting three wickets at an average of 75.33 in the first two Tests, Anderson was benched for England's triumph in the third Test at Headingley.

Before the Headingley Test, England's captain, Ben Stokes, made a suggestion that Anderson would play in Manchester, saying that he would have time to rest and get ready "to charge in from the James Anderson End at Old Trafford next week."

At the beginning of the series, Anderson made a comeback from a groin injury he got while playing for Lancashire, although he wasn't quite himself.

Harry Brook to bat at his preferred no.5 spot as Moeen Ali moves to no.3 position in the batting order

In another significant news, Harry Brook, who scored a brilliant match-winning 75 at the no.5 spot in the second innings of the third Test, will remain at that position in the batting order, after ECB confirmed that Moeen Ali will move to the no.3 spot.

Moeen batted at No. 7 in Leeds' first innings, but he requested to be moved up the order in the second, allowing Harry Brook to resume playing at No. 5, which is where he prefers to bat.

Although Brook scored 75 in a more well-known capacity, Moeen only managed to make 5 in his new role. The batting order for England has not changed, with Jonny Bairstow batting at No. 7 and Ben Stokes set to enter at No. 6.

England XI for the fourth Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson