England bowler James Anderson misses final Ashes Test against Australia

The Lancashire seamer sustained a side strain in England’s win over the Baggy Greens at Edgbaston and was forced to watch the next Test from the dressing room as his team mates wrapped up the series at Trent Bridge.

England will go second in the Test rankings if they can complete a 4-1 win over a dispirited Australian team, while Cook recently stressed his desire to extend his captaincy into the winter tours of the UAE and South Africa – and possibly beyond.

Anderson was looking to get back into his rhythm and bowling best when he pulled short in the second innings of the Edgbaston Test match with that injury.

Wood is only sixth in England’s series averages, nine wickets at nearly 37 putting him behind part-time off-spinner Joe Root.

Roy Hodgson voiced his personal congratulations to England’s Ashes winners, on a surprise visit to The Oval before the final Investec Test.

England skipper Alastair Cook has confirmed his side will be without James Anderson for the final Ashes Test against Australia. “I chatted to the guys to see how they were feeling and to make sure we were focused coming into Monday and that everyone was ready”.

Wood’s best Test figures so far are the three for 69 he finished with in Nottingham. It has been good, the lads at Yorkshire have been brilliant.

The former Reds manager even had time to cast his eye over the England cricketers’ warm-up football kickabout-with the likes of Adam Lyth and Jonny Bairstow having being promising soccer players in their youth.

“But he made a very good hundred against New Zealand (at Headingley in May) – which is where I thought you saw a lot of his talent”. “I’m going to prepare like I have for every other game, that’s then out of my hands with the management”. It will give me more free time to spend with my friends.

Lack of form, rather than more pain, will be the likeliest signal for surgery.

“I had a chance to have a few words before they started and congratulated them really because it’s such a fantastic achievement in winning the Ashes“.

“If it’s pain it will be okay”.

Wood is encouraged that Anderson is living proof such difficulties can be overcome long term.

“He bowled in the nets yesterday but at about 60-70 percent and that’s not how you go into a game”.

As for imparting any words of wisdom to incoming captain Steven Smith and David Warner, the vice-captain, he said: “I don’t think it is right for me to sit here and give advice”.

“But I may not need it at all“.

“I never ever want to forget that moment…”

“That’s going to be the sad part – but I’ve had enough of them now and I can be happy with that”.

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.