James Anderson keeps his place in the XI for the fifth Test
Anderson, who has taken four wickets across three Test matches this series, was picked ahead of Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue.
On the ICC Review, Ricky Ponting had said that he wouldn't name Anderson in his XI for The Oval Test, stating that the senior bowler had "lacked penetration right through the series".
"He might have picked up wickets the other day…and they were tail-end wickets. And he got given the new ball on both occasions. So he got everything that he would have wanted as far as when to bowl and who to bowl at. And he just hasn't had the penetration that you've expected from Anderson through such an amazing career.
"So I must admit, I'd be very surprised if they do go ahead and play him at The Oval. If they do, you talk about this selection of Manchester being the sentimental one. I think now if they pick him at the Oval, that will be more sentimental than anything."
Anderson, the leading wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Test cricket, has been excellent in Tests leading up to this Ashes series, averaging 16.8, 18.5, 16.6 and 18.6 in the four Test series — against New Zealand (twice), Pakistan, and South Africa — he has played since 2022.
The hosts have named an unchanged XI for the last and final #Ashes Test 👀#WTC25 pic.twitter.com/oJdOogyFGG
— ICC (@ICC) July 26, 2023
"I keep talking to the coach and captain," Anderson had written in his column on the Telegraph ahead of the fifth Test.
"They want me around, so as long as I am still hungry, want to put in the work then I will keep trying to give my best for the team. That is exactly where I am at the minute."
"There are no thoughts about retirement," he confirmed.
Skipper Ben Stokes threw his weight behind the senior quick, labelling him the "greatest fast bowler to play the game" in the press conference ahead of the Test.
"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."
England XI for the final Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
