England name unchanged squad for Ashes finale

England have decided to stick with the same squad for the final match of the ongoing Ashes series despite suffering a 185-run defeat in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

England can still level the series and gain valuable 24 points to bolster their standing in the World Test Championship table.

While doubts have been raised over Ben Stokes' fitness following a shoulder strain sustained during the tourists' first innings in Manchester, he could potentially be included in the playing XI as a specialist batsman.

The verdict over his bowling is subject to a fitness test ahead of the match scheduled to commence on Thursday.

In case Stokes is unfit to bowl at the Oval, England would be willing to bring on a bowling all-rounder in either Sam Curran or Chris Woakes to add depth to their pace attack.

If this happens, one of England's struggling batsmen will have to be discarded from the side although the team management has maintained the same combination throughout the series barring the positional changes for Joe Denly and Jason Roy.

Woakes was overlooked for selection in the fourth game with Craig Overton replacing him.

The final Test marks the end of Trevor Bayliss' lengthy stint as the England head coach after leading them to a World Cup triumph earlier in the summer.

England squad

Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Root (c), Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jos Buttler, Craig Overton, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran