England name unchanged side for final Ashes Test as James Anderson keeps his place

There had been suggestions that one or more of the seamers might struggle with the short turnaround from Old Trafford to The Oval but Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue will remain on the sidelines

Nick Friend | 26/07/2023 at 11:45

England have resisted the temptation to make changes for the final Test of the Ashes summer, instead remaining unchanged, with Ben Stokes describing James Anderson as "the greatest fast bowler to play the game".

There had been suggestions that one or more of the seamers might struggle with the short turnaround from Old Trafford to The Oval.

But Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood all retain their places, with Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue remaining on the sidelines.

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^{England haven't made any changes to their bowling attack despite the quick turnaround [Clive Mason/Getty Images]}

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^{Moeen Ali will continue at No.3 [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

Moeen Ali continues at No.3 and as the off-spinner, with this in all likelihood the 36-year-old's final Test appearance, having come out of retirement following Jack Leach's back injury, should he not tour India this winter.

Anderson, who turns 41 on Sunday and has taken just four wickets in three Tests this summer at an average 76.75, wrote in his Telegraph column on Wednesday that he was not thinking about retirement.

Asked whether Anderson remained in his plans past the series, Stokes said: "Yeah, he's quality, man. Although he's not had the impact or the wickets he would have liked to in this series, he's a quality bowler and quality performer.

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^{Anderson has retained his spot for the fifth Test [Ryan Pierse/Getty Images]}

"Jimmy's come under a bit of flak for that but if Joe [Root] hadn't scored the runs he would have liked, you wouldn't be questioning him staying in the team as a batter.

"James Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to play the game, and he's still looking as good as he was two years ago, although he hasn't had the impact that he would have liked in this series.

"I only faced Steyn. I never faced McGrath, or the other guys. I've obviously faced a lot of him and been on the field a lot with him. Nearly 700 Test wickets is phenomenal, and to be able to do it all around the world as well. Everyone has got an opinion on those kinds of things and my opinion is that James Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to play the game."

On Broad, who is set to play all five Tests in the condensed series at 37 years of age, Stokes added: "It was always going to be hard for one bowler to play every game this series, but he's been incredible for us. He's put in some incredible performances throughout the Test matches, but also been very good at coming on with the ball and changing the game numerous times, which is something he's done throughout his whole career.

"He's the leading wicket-taker and it's very hard to look past someone like that. At 37 years old that's testament to how much work he puts in off the field to keep turning out for England on the field."

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