Brimming with confidence, England announced their unchanged 13 men squad for the fourth and final Test of the Investec Test series against South Africa, which is scheduled at Old Trafford in Manchester between August 4 and 8.
The hosts-led Joe Root is highly unlikely going to tinker with the Playing XI after the announcement of the squad, as the side would be aiming to give their best in a bid to claim the series 3-1.
However, after clinching the third Test by 239 runs at the Kennington Oval in London following the splendid all-round show from the hosts which further saw South Africa bundled out for 252 on the fifth and final day.
Interestingly, it was the 100th Test, as a venue for the Kia Oval which also witnessed the first-ever hat-trick, as off-spinner Moeen Ali went on to achieve the feat as the first English spinner since 1938-39.
For South Africa, it was Dean Elgar, who kept the visitors in the game for a draw register his sublime century while knitting crucial partnerships alongside Temba Bavuma followed by Chris Morris and Keshav Maharaj.
However, England had different things on an offer and, as a big surprise in the form of Ali, who claimed four wickets in the game.
(Read Also: 100th Test: Moeen Ali Bags Hat-Trick Against South Africa At The Oval).
The 31-year-old Elgar perished on 136 after facing 228 deliveries which further saw the Welkom-batter opting for a loose shot to find the bucket-like hands of Ben Stokes at the slip cordon when visitors were 252 in 75.5 overs.
It is likely to see the Roehampton-born newcomer Dawid Malan maintaining his position even after struggling in his maiden Test at the Oval, in the make-or-break Test for Faf du Plessis-led Proteas.
The top-order batsman Malan has managed to register just 11 in his both innings after being inducted into the squad.
Coming to the conclusion, the 28-year-old Watford-born lanky fast-bowler Steven Finn has been retained in the 13-member side after promising fast bowler Mark Wood was suffering from heel injury (sore left heel) and was eventually ruled out ahead of the just concluded third Test.
England would be heavily relying on their top-order which has availed the services of experienced campaigner Alastair Cook and all-rounder Ben Stokes has been revelation for the England which further saw quality performances in the 3rd Test after receiving a humiliating loss at the Trent Bridge when the Proteas claimed a win to level the series 1-1 in the second Test.
Here’s England’s 13-member squad for the 4th Test in Manchester which is scheduled on Friday:
Joe Root (Skipper), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Liam Dawson, Steven Finn, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Toby Roland-Jones, Ben Stokes, Tom Westley.