England have named an unchanged squad for this week’s Fifth Ashes Test as Ben Stokes’s side look to deny Australia a famous series victory.
Australia retained the Urn at Old Trafford on Sunday after the final day’s play was washed out without a ball being bowled. That came on the back of a penultimate day in which only 30 overs were possible due to heavy rain in Manchester, thwarting England’s bid to set up a series decider after they had dominated the first three days.
The same 14-man squad has been named for this week’s finale at the Oval, which begins on Thursday, but England could still make changes to freshen up their seam attack.
Chris Woakes struggled during Australia’s second innings at Old Trafford having played back-to-back Tests following his recall at Headingley, while Stuart Broad has played five Tests on the spin this summer and James Anderson again looked short of his best on his home ground. Mark Wood again excelled, but the quick has also now played back-to-back Tests off a long lay-off and his workload takes notorious management.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue are in contention to play, the latter having take five-for against Leicestershire in the County Championship after being released to play for Worcestershire last week.
Pat Cummins’ team are looking to become the first Australian side to win a series on English soil outright since 2001, with Stokes yesterday urging fans to get behind the home side as if the Ashes were still on the line.
