England vs. India – 4th Test Weather Forecast: Will It Rain in Manchester?

Manchester has been experiencing rain showers, raising concerns for the start of the fourth between India and England Test at Old Trafford.

England vs. India – 4th Test Weather Forecast: Will It Rain in Manchester?

The fourth Test between India and England could experience rainfall. (via India TV News)

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The England and Indian teams will step onto the pitch at Old Trafford in Manchester after a nine-day long break, for the fourth Test of the five-match red-ball series. Ahead of the penultimate encounter, it is important to take a look at the weather forecast as well as pitch report.

For the Three Lions, the Manchester Test is an opportunity for them to secure the series as well as record their first Test series victory over India in seven years. Meanwhile, for the visitors, the fourth Test is one that they will be aiming to win in order to seek redemption for the heart-breaking defeat that they suffered in the third Test, at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, narrowly losing by a margin of just 22 runs.

India faces an additional hurdle in their poor record at Old Trafford in Manchester. Intriguingly, it is the only major venue in England where the Indian team is yet to win a Test match. Of the nine matches played at Old Trafford, the Men in Blue have lost four, with the remaining five ending in a draw. Furthermore, India’s last visit to Manchester in 2014 resulted in a humiliating innings and 54-run defeat to England.

Another significant obstacle is the weather conditions predicted for all five days, from July 23 to July 27. Rain is expected to play a role in determining the match’s outcome. The forecast indicates sporadic rain, with light showers possibly occurring throughout all five days of play. Additionally, temperatures in Manchester are expected to be on the cooler side, ranging between 13 and 23 degrees, which could present challenging conditions for the players.

Light rain showers are anticipated to affect the first two days of play at Old Trafford in Manchester, with cloudy skies and humidity levels around 94 percent. While humidity and precipitation percentages are likely to decrease on Day 2, minimal disruptions in play are expected from Day 3 onwards. There’s a slight chance of precipitation on the final day, accompanied by overcast conditions across all the days of play.

Regarding the pitch conditions, Old Trafford is generally known for offering a balanced contest between bat and ball. It could resemble the green top seen at Lord’s, which might benefit the Indian bowling attack. The Old Trafford surface typically provides good bounce during the first three days of the match, with an average first innings total of around 330 runs, slightly favoring the team that chooses to bat first.

Moreover, the Old Trafford surface is expected to provide some early movement, in the form of swing and pace to the bowlers, who stick to their line and length. However, as the match progresses, the pitch may wear out, allowing spinners to become more effective in the later stages.

England Announce Playing XI for Fourth Test Against India in Manchester

The Three Lions have announced their playing XI for the fourth Test match against India, to be played at Old Trafford in Manchester. As expected, England have only brought in a single change to their lineup, keeping the winning combination intact.

England playing XI against India
England announced its playing XI for the fourth Test against India, in Manchester. (via Cricket Times)

With Shoaib Bashir ruled out for the reminder of the India-England Test series due to a finger fracture, 35-year-old all-rounder Liam Dawson has taken in place in the squad. Dawson quickly slots into the playing XI for the fourth Test match, which features Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett as openers, followed by Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith to complete the batting unit.

Alongside Dawson, the playing XI includes three pacers, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Jofra Archer. The ECB has also released Jamie Overton and Sam Cook from the squad, leaving Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, and Jacob Bethell as the only remaining options on the bench.