After that nail-biting win at Lord’s, England are riding a wave of excitement heading into the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
They’ve taken a 2–1 lead over India in the series, and while the energy is high, it’s not all smooth sailing.
There are still some nagging concerns to address—especially when it comes to team selection and player performance.
Let’s break down the big questions England still need to answer before the next match.
Why Are Crawley and Pope Still in the Top Order?
Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope have managed to keep their places in the team, but many are starting to wonder how long that will last.
Crawley’s averaging just 21, and Pope isn’t much better at 31—though 106 of his runs came from a single innings at Headingley.
England’s win at Lord’s might’ve helped brush these underwhelming performances under the rug for now.
But fans and pundits alike are questioning why Jacob Bethell, a promising alternative, hasn’t been brought in yet—especially since Pope would’ve been the one to make way had Bethell returned from the IPL to face Zimbabwe earlier this year.
Will Liam Dawson Finally Get His Shot?
With Shoaib Bashir out injured for the rest of the series, attention is turning to Liam Dawson—who hasn’t played a Test in eight years.
But don’t let that fool you: the Hampshire all-rounder took an impressive 103 wickets across the 2023 and 2024 Championship seasons.
Old Trafford typically favors spinners, so Dawson could slot in as a natural replacement.
Not only would his left-arm spin add variety, but batting at No. 8 would also bolster England’s lower order.
Still, England remain loyal to the Bashir project.
Even injured, Bashir was celebrated in the dressing room for his gritty effort at Lord’s—batting, bowling, and even fielding with a broken finger.
What’s the Deal with Chris Woakes?
Chris Woakes has quietly become England’s reliable workhorse in this series.
At 36, he’s defying the doubters—claiming key wickets at Lord’s, including the likes of Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja.
His knack for delivering at crucial moments, like dismissing Nitish Kumar Reddy right before lunch on the final day, has been vital.
Woakes also has a fantastic track record at Old Trafford—35 wickets at an average of 17.
But with Gus Atkinson possibly returning, and England wanting to play both Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer, someone’s going to have to sit out. Could it be Woakes?
It’s also worth noting that he’s unlikely to tour Australia again, given his poor numbers there.
But for now, he might still be key in finishing off this India series.
Are England Turning Up the Aggression?
There was a noticeable edge to England’s play at Lord’s, and that might’ve been deliberate.
After a team huddle on day four, the players agreed they’d been “a bit too nice” on the field.
Tempers flared when Crawley’s time-wasting sparked a reaction from the Indian side, and Mohammed Siraj gave Ben Duckett an aggressive send-off the following morning.
Jofra Archer returned the fire later that day, letting Rishabh Pant know exactly how he felt after bowling him out.
Even a small collision between Jadeja and Carse raised eyebrows.
But here’s the thing—England seemed to thrive off the tension, and that energy might follow them into Manchester.
Can Archer Handle Another Back-to-Back Test?
Jofra Archer’s return has been one of the most talked-about comebacks in cricket this year.
Before Lord’s, there were questions about whether he could keep up his speed and fitness across multiple spells.
Turns out, he can. Archer had India’s top order rattled with his 93mph thunderbolts—especially opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had scored 220 runs in the first two Tests but managed only 13 and 0 at Lord’s.
Even Rishabh Pant had no answer for Archer’s raw pace.
And don’t forget—Archer doesn’t just bowl fast, he brings the fire that fuels England’s sledging and aggressive attitude on the field.
Is It Time to Worry About Ben Duckett?
After his heroic 149 at Headingley, Ben Duckett’s form has dipped a bit.
In his last four innings, he’s managed only 60 runs, and his dismissals at Lord’s were particularly frustrating—he essentially gave away his wicket both times.
With Crawley and Pope underperforming, England really need Duckett to deliver at the top of the order.
They can’t always rely on the middle and lower order to clean up the mess.
If Duckett doesn’t find his groove again soon, England could find themselves in trouble.
What’s Next?
The fourth Test at Old Trafford is set up to be another blockbuster.
But if England want to finish the series strong—and prepare for the looming Ashes—they’ll need to find answers to these key issues fast.
