England veteran speedster James Anderson has been included in the England 12-man squad for the second Ashes Test in Adelaide to be played on Thursday (December 16).
However, his fellow fast bowler Mark Wood has been left out. Stuart Broad is expected to partner the fully fit Anderson in the playing XI, which means England are set to make two changes to the side that lost in Brisbane.
The 39-year-old took his career-best figures in Australia in Adelaide four years ago when he recorded 5 for 43, and where captain Joe Root hopes the pink ball used in day-night Test will help him and new-ball partner Broad.
"I came here wanting to be available for five (Tests) and that doesn't change now, I want to be available for the next four," said a defiant Anderson, who has taken a record 632 Test wickets, more than any other seam bowler in history.
“I think the gaps between the next few Tests, it might be a bit easier to get that rest in between and make sure everyone's fresh, but that's something out of my control,” he said.
"I've just got to do my best if I get picked tomorrow," he further added.
In fact, it would be remarkable if Leach played this week. Just surely let Joe Root loose with his part-time off-spin if a slow bowler is required.
Maybe England have been influenced by Damian Hough, the Adelaide groundsman, who insisted on Tuesday it would be an error if they didn’t pick a spinner. “Yeah, I think so,” he said.
“History says the pitch will spin,” he added.
On the other hand, Australia also have some decisions to make at the selection table with Josh Hazlewood flying to Sydney nursing a side strain, although Cricket Australia have said he hasn't been ruled out of the Adelaide Test yet. David Warner is also being monitored for a rib injury after being struck by a Ben Stokes short ball in Brisbane. If Warner is not fit for the Test, Usman Khawaja can be his possible replacement.
England squad: Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root (captain), Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.
