England recall Anderson for fifth Ashes Test

England

England have recalled seam bowler James Anderson to the Test squad for the final Ashes Test against Australia starting on the 20 August at the Oval.

Anderson, who is England's all time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket with 413, was not in the squad for the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge as he picked up a side strain in the third match.

England went on to win beat Australia inside three days in Nottingham and have now regained the Ashes urn they lost 18 months ago.

The 33 year-old Anderson replaces Mark Footitt in the only change to the three Lions' squad from the team that did duty in the previous match.

However with the Ashes already won, national selector James Whitaker said Anderson will be monitored closely while no risks will be taken with the right-arm seamer's fitness.

Whitaker said: "On behalf of the selectors I would like to congratulate Alastair Cook, Trevor Bayliss and all involved in the last month.

"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.

"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.

"I have no doubt the players will want a strong finish to the series and we can look forward to another entertaining Test match."

England squad: Alastair Cook (capt), Adam Lyth, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Steven Finn, James Anderson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid

England latest-news the-ashes-2015

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