England announce 14-men squad for fifth Ashes 2023 test against Australia

Published at :July 24, 2023 at 7:56 PM

Modified at :July 24, 2023 at 7:56 PM

Australia are currently leading the five-match Ashes 2023 series 2-1 against England.

After a complete washout on Day 4 and Day 5 of the 4th Ashes test at Old Trafford, Australia have retained the Ashes series as they are 2-1 ahead. With just one test to play in the Ashes 2023, England have announced an unchanged 14-member team to take on men from down under.

The 5th Ashes test will begin on 27th July at The Oval in London. England will be looking to finish off the series with a win and leave behind the disappointment of missing out on the 4th Ashes test win. England were looking strong to win the Old Trafford frontier but were unlucky due to persistent rain in the last two days.

England will be assessing their all-rounder Chris Woakes and pacer Mark Wood's fitness as the scheduled test has three more days before the toss. Woakes and Wood are England's all-format players and eyeing big events in the coming month, ECB will be working on workload management.

Woakes made a huge impact in England's successful last two tests and remained their leading wicket-taker. England captain Ben Stokes also emphasized 'tired bodies' during the Ashes series. Stokes said, "There are some tired bodies and we have a short period until the oval so we will have to see who is fit then."

England will be having a discussion about their pace bowling attack. James Anderson was brought back in the Manchester test but he could only manage to pick up one wicket. Anderson in three Ashes tests got only 4 wickets and England will be looking in to bring Josh Tongue once again as the Oval test still remains crucial for them. Australia also have an opportunity to get an outright series win if they replicate the first two tests performance and take home the Ashes with a 3-1 scoreline.

England 14-member squad for Oval Test

Ben Stokes (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.