England retain James Anderson in unchanged XI for Ashes finale | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: England have announced an unchanged team for the fifth and final Ashes Test, which is set to take place at The Oval starting Thursday.

Despite a challenging series for the veteran seamer James Anderson, who holds the record for the most wickets taken by any fast bowler in Test cricket with 689 scalps, he has managed to retain his place in the side.
Throughout this series, Anderson, who will turn 41 on Sunday, has struggled to find his rhythm and has only taken four wickets in three Tests, with an expensive average of 76.75 runs per wicket. However, England’s management has decided to keep faith in him for the crucial last match.

The bowling attack will also feature Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, both of whom have been deemed fit to play in the final Test.
Having already secured the Ashes with a 2-1 lead in the series, Australia will be looking to maintain their dominance in the upcoming match after the rain-marred draw at Old Trafford last week.
But a win for Ben Stokes’s men in London would deny their arch-rivals a first Ashes series victory in England since 2001.
Anderson insisted in a recent newspaper column he has no intention of retiring and plans to continue a Test career that already spans 20 years so long as he is wanted by the England set-up.
And England captain Stokes, speaking at a pre-match press conference at The Oval on Wednesday, said Anderson was still part of his plans.

“Jimmy Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to play the game,” he said.
“He’s not had the impact and the wickets he’d have liked to in this series, he’s come under a bit of flak, but he’s a quality performer.”
Stokes, meanwhile also paid tribute to Stuart Broad, Anderson’s longstanding new-ball colleague.
The Nottinghamshire seamer is the leading wicket-taker in the Ashes and is now about to appear in his sixth Test in a row this season, having featured in the off-match against Ireland at Lord’s.
“At 37 years old it’s testament to the work and effort he puts in,” said Stokes.
“It’s amazing. 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 been very good at coming on with the ball and changing the game.”
England team for fifth 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
(With AFP Inputs)
Watch England retain James Anderson in unchanged XI for Ashes finale