England have named an unchanged side for this week’s final Ashes Test at the Oval, with Chris Woakes fit to play and James Anderson keeping his place.
Woakes had been a doubt having struggled with soreness and spent time off the field during Australia’s second innings at Old Trafford last week, but the all-rounder has progressed well over the past two days.
The 34-year-old sat out the first two Tests of the series but has had a huge impact since being recalled to the XI at Headingley, taking 12 wickets in two Tests.
“Everyone’s pulled up well, everyone’s fit from the last game so we’ve gone unchanged,” Stokes said. “It’s been a tough four games and I think one little tiny positive we could maybe take from the rain [at Old Trafford] is that the bowlers got a bit more rest.
“With the quick turnaround and the game we have here, knowing what we need to do, you could see that as a tiny, tiny little positive.”
Anderson, by contrast, has had a difficult series, taking only four wickets in three games at an average of 77, but will have the chance to improve that record as England look to clinch a series-levelling victory.
The seamer, England’s most prolific Test bowler of all-time, will turn 41 during the Test and there has been growing speculation over his future given his struggle for impact. Writing in his Telegraph column, however, Anderson said he has no plans to walk away at the end of the series.
“He’s quality,” Stokes said. “Although he’s not had the impact or the wickets he would have liked to in this series, he’s a quality bowler and quality performer.
“Jimmy’s come under a bit of flack for that but if Joe [Root] hadn’t scored the runs he would have liked, you wouldn’t be questioning him staying in the team as a batter.
“James Anderson is the greatest fast-bowler to play the game and he’s still looking as good as he was two years ago, although he hasn’t had the impact that he would have liked in this series.”
The makeup of England’s line-up, with Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue the bowler to miss out, means Stuart Broad will complete the remarkable feat of playing all six Test matches this summer.
“It was always going to be hard for one bowler to play every game this series but he’s been incredible for us,” Stokes added.
“He’s put in some incredible performances throughout the Test matches, coming on with the ball and changing the game numerous times. He’s the leading wicket-taker and it’s very hard to look past someone like that.”
