Anderson will only play the fifth Test is he is deemed to be fully fit

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England pace bowler James Anderson has returned to the Ashes squad for the fifth and final Test against Australia at The Oval on August 20.

Anderson, who will replace Mark Footitt, was ruled out of the fourth Test in Nottingham due to a side strain he suffered during the second day of the third Test at Edgbaston.

However, since England regained the Ashes after demolishing Australia by an innings and 78 runs in the fourth Test, Anderson will only play the fifth Test if he is deemed to be fully fit.

“James Anderson is continuing to improve and with ten 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,” national selector James Whitaker said. “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: 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