Anderson makes the cut in unchanged England team for final Ashes Test

England have named an unchanged XI for the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Oval.

Record wicket-taker Jimmy Anderson, who turns 41 on day four, retains his place in the side despite a disappointing series thus far while Mark Wood and Chris Woakes have both been passed fit.

Australia take a 2-1 lead into the series decider and have already retained the urn but Ben Stokes’ men are looking to square the scoreline after last week’s washout at Old Trafford.

Anderson made it clear in a newspaper column that he has no intention of retiring and plans to continue his two-decade international career as long as he is wanted. And captain Ben Stokes made it clear that was still the case.

“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 also paid tribute to his other veteran seamer, Stuart Broad, who has defied all expectations to play six Tests in a row this summer. “At 37 years old it’s testament to the work and effort he puts in,” he said.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Australia opener David Warner has dismissed suggestions he and Steve Smith are going to quit Test cricket after the Oval contest.

Warner has expressed his desire to play his last test in Sydney against Pakistan in January next year though he wants to play on until the 2024 Twenty20 World Cup.

Warner, talking to reporters on the eve of the match, called it a “joke”. “And Smithy [is retiring) too apparently. So obviously it’s a joke,” Warner said. “I won’t take that too seriously ... I don’t have an announcement.”

A fixture at the top of the Australian order since his debut in 2011, Warner has managed 201 runs in the ongoing Ashes series averaging 25.12 with a top score of 66.
“I’ve probably left a few out there but in saying that, I’ve played a lot better than what I did last time,” Warner said.

“I feel like I’m in a good space, contributed well, and as a batting unit we’re all about partnerships, and I think the partnerships that we’ve had in key moments of this series have actually worked very well for us as a team.”