Rain on the England nice’s Old Trafford house floor washed out all of Sunday’s play and condemned the fourth Test to a draw.
That ensured holders Australia, 2-1 forward with one to play, retained the Ashes and wrecked any probability of a winner-takes-all decider in London.
But an England win would sq. the collection at 2-2 — the identical end result as after they final staged the Ashes in 2019 — and deny Australia a a lot longed for first away Ashes marketing campaign triumph in 22 years.
England named an unchanged 14-man squad on Monday, with the highlight on whether or not Anderson will nonetheless be of their XI come Thursday’s opening day at The Oval.
Anderson’s 689 Test wickets are probably the most taken by any quick bowler, with solely spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708) forward of him within the all-time record.
But within the present collection Anderson, who turns 41 on Sunday, has taken simply 4 wickets in three Tests at a vastly costly common of 76.75 apiece.
He took simply the one wicket at Old Trafford after being rested for England’s win within the third Test at Headingley.
But with Ollie Robinson match following a again spasm and novice worldwide quick bowler Josh Tongue additionally within the squad, England do have various choices.
Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, who struggled with stiffness close to the top of the fourth Test, have impressed since being recalled into the facet, whereas Stuart Broad is the main wicket-taker in the entire Ashes.
If Anderson is unnoticed at The Oval, it may imply he has made the final look of his celebrated Test profession, with England handing out their newest spherical of central contracts earlier than the top of this yr.
England’s batting line-up is about to be unchanged after six of the highest seven all made not less than fifty in a complete of 592 at Old Trafford.
England squad for fifth Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Dan Lawrence
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com