James Anderson prepares for his fifth test during an online session at Oval Credit: Getty Images/Gareth Copley
Ben Stokes confirmed he wants so that James Anderson would continue to play for England after being selected for the Test that would reschedule him after his 41st birthday.
Anderson was included in the England squad unchanged after a weather-damaged fourth Test in Old Trafford, and Stokes called him «the greatest fast bowler ever to play the game.»
Anderson, who turns 41 on Sunday, has more wickets than any other skater, 689, in his 20-year Test career, but speculation about when he might retire has intensified in a series in which he has managed just four wickets in three matches. /p> 
Anderson with his bowling partner Stuart Broad (left) at Oval Credit: Getty Images/Gareth Copley
The player himself has not made any public statements that he is considering retirement, writing in his Telegraph Sport column this week: «They [Stokes and Brandon McCallum] want me around, so while I'm still hungry, they want to work. then I'll keep doing my best for the team.»
Stokes confirmed that he wants Anderson to continue after this series.
«He's great,» he said. “Guys, it’s very hard for you to sit here and say that this is not so. While he didn't make the impact and wickets he wanted in this series, he's a great bowler and a great player.
“Jimmy got a little bit of criticism for that, but if Joe [Root] didn’t score as many runs as he would have liked, you would have no doubt that he would stay on the team as a batter. James Anderson is the best fast bowler ever to play the game and he still looks as good as he did two years ago, although he didn't make the impact he wanted in this series.
“Nearly 700 test wickets is phenomenal, and to be able to do it all over the world. Everyone has their own opinion on such things, and I believe that James Anderson is the best fast bowler ever played in this game.
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“He's not a bad bowler, he just didn't get the awards he deserved. He still runs with incredible economy in this series, just sadly he doesn't have a wicket to show it off. I'm not too sure about the wickets that fell at the other end while he was bowling.
“But we know what Jimmy does, he ties the end even though it's not his priority, he's just so ruthless with his line and length. I just feel like he's unlucky. The amount of time it went past the bat, or someone's edge before the fourth slip, or there is a bottom edge. I'm frustrated with him, and he's really frustrated when he doesn't have that kind of impact. But he still bowls like Jimmy Anderson, he just doesn't have the awards he usually gets.»
Chris Wakes proved his fit to play by coming up from Old Trafford, and Stuart Broad will be one of two forward bowlers — along with Australia captain Pat Cummins — to play all five Tests. Like Anderson, it's highly likely that Broad is playing his last Test of the Ashes, while Moin Ali is about to re-retire after answering an SOS from England following Jack Leach's injury.
«We stayed no change,» Stokes said. “It was a tough four games. One small plus we can take away from the rain over the past two days is that the bowlers have gotten a bit more rest.
“One bowler has always been difficult to play in every game of the series, but he [Broad] has been incredible for us. He delivered incredible results during Test matches, but also played very well with the ball and changed the game many times, which he did throughout his career.»
Australia was expected to make one change, with Todd Murphy , recalled at the expense of Cameron Green's station wagon. Mitchell Marsh bowled in Wednesday practice and is expected to be able to play a full role as an all-rounder.
Australian opening batsman David Warner is certainly playing his latest Ashes test. Amid speculation that he might retire this week, he confirmed his plan to go home in Sydney in a test match against Pakistan in January.
«No, not at all,» Warner said. when asked. if he planned to delay his retirement. «Like a player who doesn't go over your head… If you get patted on the shoulder [selectors], you get patted on the shoulder.»
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