Anderson not to play Oval Test

That burden has now been laid to rest, leaving Cook with a final opportunity to produce a major Ashes innings, one to add to his 27 Test centuries, an England record.

Alastair Cook (left) and Joe Root (right) during a training session at The Oval.

They surfaced significantly during the West Indies series in April and lingered into this summer, but have been silenced by the uplifting experience of regaining the Ashes. As cricket writer Jarrod Kimber observed: “To get a public apology all Michael Clarke had to do was score 329 not out, 210, 259 not out and 230 in one year”.

Tuesday’s confirmation comes after Rogers had suggested it was his plan to make the Oval his global swansong in what will be his 25th career Test. And, as a captain, to say how they supported me.

As well as Ryan Harris, who quit cricket a week before the Ashes because of injury, this could be the last series for Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Adam Voges ” players who are all in their 30s.

“I’ve been watching on TV … it was a fantastic performance”, he said. “It’s been a good week to be an English cricketer”, he said.

“I just have to weigh it up as to when is the right time in the schedule that I can get away with it if I do need it do”.

Clarke, 34, announced he would retire at the end of the series immediately after his side lost the fourth test at Trent Bridge last week by an innings and 78 runs to relinquish the Ashes.

“Unfortunately he’s not going to make it”, Cook said. “The medical workforce have been sensible with him however he is nonetheless a few week away”.

Although Anderson was able to bowl in the nets yesterday, Cook said that the leader of his attack was only operating at between 60 and 70 per cent of full capacity. Adil’s had to wait for his chance.

“He hasn’t scored the runs he would have liked”, said Cook. I wanted to challenge the guys, to see how they were feeling.

“It’s tough when your first seven games are against the bowlers he has faced, but he has to clear that out of his mind”. As Hodge sounded off at selectors about his exclusion (he once memorably declared he was better off trying his hand at lawn bowls), Rogers bit his tongue – publicly, as least – as younger peers were chosen ahead of him.

‘He’s an Ashes-winning player, and he should be proud to be part of the squad.

But what happens in south London over the next five days is still crucial to how England progress going forward.

“He’s a very good player who can succeed at worldwide level”.

“To not have to change your game much to play different formats can only be a good thing”.

Taking this series 4-1 would certainly go some way to avenging the memory of the 5-0 whitewash inflicted upon England in Australia some 18 months ago.

The 34-year-old, plagued by back, and more recently, hamstring trouble for much of his career, said he would have no trouble adjusting to life after what will be, the fifth Test included, a run of 115 Tests.