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Batting legend Ricky Ponting said that he would be surprised if Ben Stokes-led England pick James Anderson for the Ashes 2023's final Test against Australia which will be played at the Oval from June 27. Anderson hasn't had a series to remember as he has only snared four wickets in Ashes 2023's four matches so far. Witnessing the veteran pacer clocking a bowling average of 76.75 in the Ashes series is a rare sight. He hasn't been able to replicate his performances in yesteryears which also saw him getting rested for the third Ashes Test against Australia. However he came back in the fourth Test but couldn't leave any impact with the ball.
Despite his dismal show England included the 41-year-old in the squad for the final Test at the Oval. However, it will be interesting to see whether Anderson can make a cut in the final XI for England in the ultimate Test as Australia are leading the series 2-1.
Meanwhile, Ponting claimed that he will be surprised if Anderson get to play the final Test of the Ashes 2023 series. He also added that Anderson lacked penetration in the entire series despite getting the full backing of the team.
"He has lacked penetration right through the series, James Anderson so it's going to be a really interesting decision, I think, from England now going into this last Test," Ponting said.
"He might have picked up wickets the other day…and they were tail-end wickets. And he got given the new ball on both occasions. So he got everything that he would have wanted as far as when to bowl and who to bowl at. And he just hasn't had the penetration that you've expected from Anderson through such an amazing career," he added.
"So I must admit, I'd be very surprised if they do go ahead and play him at The Oval. If they do, you talk about this selection of Manchester being the sentimental one. I think now if they pick him at the Oval, that will be more sentimental than anything.
"Because what I saw with Tongue at Lord's…he was the pick of their bowlers in that Lord's game and then he's gone straight back out. So I'd be very surprised if Anderson actually plays this last Test," he concluded.
This is how Ponting's predicted England XI looks like.
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, Josh Tongue.
Meanwhile, England named an unchanged squad for the Oval Test. Below is England’s squad for the fifth Test of Ashes 2023.
England squad for fifth Test of Ashes 2023: Ben Stokes (Captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
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