Ashes 2023: James Anderson retained despite sub-par run as England announce unchanged XI for Oval Test

England decided to stick with the same combination that nearly vanquished Australia in Old Trafford for the fifth and final Ashes 2023 Test that begins Thursday at The Oval.

Which means senior pacer James Anderson retains his place in the team despite a relatively modest outing in the fourth Test in Manchester. Anderson had been benched for the third Test in Headingley, which England ended up winning by three wickets to keep their hopes of an unlikely series victory alive.

England were on course for a commanding series-leveling win, riding on Zak Crawley’s brilliant 189 and contributions from Chris Woakes (5/62) and Mark Wood (3/27) in the first and second innings respectively.

That was before incessant rain played spoilsport, allowing just 30 overs of play on Day 4 and washing the entire final day out as the Pat Cummins-led Australian team retained the Ashes for a fourth time running.

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England, though, will be eyeing a series-leveling win in the finale in London to preserve their two-decade unbeaten record against the ‘Old Enemy’.

“Jimmy Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to play the game,” England captain Ben Stokes 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.”

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