MANCHESTER — England and India begin the fourth Test of their five-match series at Old Trafford on Tuesday, with the outcome poised to shape the destiny of the summer's marquee cricket contest. Both captains named their sides ahead of the toss.

The series has drawn large crowds across England and Wales, with the England and Wales Cricket Board reporting strong ticket demand for the Manchester fixture. India arrived seeking to build on a competitive campaign, while England looked to press home any home advantage under captain Ben Stokes.

Old Trafford, operated by Lancashire County Cricket Club, has historically favoured seam bowling in overcast conditions. Both coaching staffs weighed their bowling combinations accordingly, with selection questions centring on batting depth and the balance between pace and spin on a pitch expected to offer movement early on.

The result carries weight for the World Test Championship standings, with points on offer that affect each side's position in the International Cricket Council's cycle. A strong performance in Manchester would give either team momentum heading into the final Test.

Stokes said before play that his side intended to be aggressive with both bat and ball, describing the match as pivotal to England's ambitions for the series.