England name unchanged Ashes squad and face Anderson call for final Test

England have named an unchanged squad for the final Ashes Test of the summer with a decision required over Jimmy Anderson’s involvement at the Oval.

The Manchester weather washed out play on Sunday and wrecked England’s hopes of setting up a decider this week. The draw means Australia have retained the urn, leading the series 2-1 with one Test to play, but England will try to rally and win in south London to ensure a second successive home Ashes ends 2-2.

An unchanged 14-man squad has been selected for the fifth Test, which begins on Thursday, and all eyes will be on whether England select Anderson. The veteran seamer, who will turn 41 on Sunday, has struggled to take wickets throughout the series, picking up four in three Tests at an average of 76.75.

He claimed one wicket in the drawn Old Trafford match and, after being rested for England’s victory at Headingley, the return to fitness of Ollie Robinson following a back spasm will leave the captain, Ben Stokes, and the head coach, Brendon McCullum, with a tough call to make.

If Anderson is left out at the Oval, it could mean he has appeared in England whites for the last time with a decision required by the seamer and the selectors regarding his role over the next 12 months with central contracts due to be agreed later this year.

Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, who struggled with stiffness towards the end of the Old Trafford Test, have impressed since being drafted into the XI while Stuart Broad is the leading wicket-taker in the series.

The Sussex seamer Robinson claimed 10 wickets in the first three Tests and Josh Tongue caught the eye with his aggression in his one appearance at Lord’s.

England’s batting lineup is set to be unchanged with Moeen Ali to continue at No 3. A decision on Anderson and the other seamers will be made over the next two days.