‘Homeground mein akhri match hoga kya iska?’ - Fans react as James Anderson named in England’s playing XI for Manchester Test of Ashes 2023

The fourth Test of the ongoing Ashes is all set to begin on 19 July 2023 in Manchester. After a thrilling win in Headingly in the third Test, England managed to be alive in the series. They will go to Manchester with a 2-1 scoreline. Now, on 17 July, they announced their playing XI and made only one change from the last match.

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Veteran pacer, James Anderson replaced Ollie Robinson. Hence, England’s pace attack will consist of Anderson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, and Chris Woakes along with skipper Ben Stokes. Moeen Ali and Joe Root will be the spinning options. Regarding that, fans shared their views on social media.

James Anderson has taken 37 wickets so far in 10 Tests at Old Trafford, Manchester

Old Trafford, Manchester is Anderson’s home ground. Before the third Test, Stokes gave a hint of playing him in this upcoming clash. He got dropped in the third Test and regarding that, Stokes said that it would help the pacer to get some rest and prepare "to charge in from the James Anderson End at Old Trafford next week". He has taken 37 wickets so far in 10 matches at this venue. Meanwhile, another pacer, Stuart Broad recently opened up about how Anderson was unlucky over both the injury and the recent pitches. 

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In the first two Tests of this series, he took only three wickets. Broad wrote: "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. 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."

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

Here is how fans have reacted:

Australia 3-1

— Kane Kraze (@GoogleA33691008) July 17, 2023

🔥

— Arnav❤️‍🔥 (@82OF53) July 17, 2023

Fifer loading from him🤲🥵

— 82*👑 (@Rajdeep80647521) July 17, 2023

Tongue should have come in for Robinson

— Kartik Dangi (@kartik0502) July 17, 2023

Next match is in Manchester..

His home ground.

May be his last dance? 😢

— N (@Vk_is_goat) July 17, 2023

King will play in his home ground 🫶🫶

— Abhishek🎀 (@heyabheee) July 17, 2023

He's playing Last match at his home ground

— Prasunjha (@Prasunj90898109) July 17, 2023

Bumrah >>> chokerson

— FIRE⁴⁵ (@firefire0045) July 17, 2023

Maybe last test of his career

— ✨Kohli Magic✨ (@_King_Kohli__) July 17, 2023