London: England have named an unchanged XI for the fifth and final Test of the closely-fought Ashes series with senior pacer James Anderson named in the XI.
Anderson, who has taken four wickets across three Test matches this series, was picked ahead of Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue, the ICC reported.
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," Ponting said.
"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," he said.
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.
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," he added.
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. (UNI)
