Anderson in squad for Oval encounter

Cricket: England pace man could feature in final Ashes clash

James Anderson is back in the England reckoning for the fifth Test against Australia after being named in a 14-man squad.

England’s all-time leading wickettaker had to miss the fourth Investec Test at Trent Bridge because of the side strain he suffered in the third match at Edgbaston.

In his absence England regained the Ashes – winning by an innings and 78 runs to take an unassailable 3-1 lead, with just the Oval to come.

It was initially feared Anderson would definitely miss the remainder of the series after pulling out of his action and leaving the field in obvious discomfort in Birmingham.

But after intensive rehabilitation he was shuttle-running on the Trent Bridge outfield even before the start of the fourth Test – and it was therefore no surprise when he was included in the squad announced yesterday.

Anderson replaces uncapped left-arm seamer Mark Footitt, called up as cover for Mark Wood in Nottingham but released to play for his county Derbyshire when the Durham pace bowler was passed fit after the ankle niggle that ruled him out of the previous match.

There are no other changes to the squad, with out-of-form opener Adam Lyth given another chance to prove himself this summer.

National selector James Whitaker made it clear England will tread carefully with prize asset Anderson.

He said: “James Anderson is continuing to improve and, with 10 days to go before the Test, may be able to play a part at the Oval – although, with the series won, we will not be taking any chances given the cricket we have in the coming months.”

England’s Ashes series victory has come against the odds, and Whitaker added: “Regaining the Ashes is a superb achievement and is down to 18 months of hard work from the players and coaches and support from a lot of people since the last series in Australia.

“The contributions of so many different players at key times throughout the series so far is hugely encouraging.”

England squad (v Australia in the fifth Investec Test, starting at the Oval on August 20): AN Cook (captain), MM Ali, JM Anderson, JM Bairstow, IR Bell, SCJ Broad, JC Buttler (wkt), ST Finn, A Lyth, LE Plunkett, AU Rashid, JE Root, BA Stokes, MA Wood.

England captain Alastair Cook, left, could have James Anderson back in action for next week’s clash with Australia. Picture: Getty.