England makes two changes in squad final Test

LONDON—Paul Collingwood and James Anderson have been named in England’s 13-man squad for the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval starting on Thursday, but Chris Tremlett was omitted.
The 23-year-old Anderson has not featured in England’s plans since last winter, when his lack of cricket during the tour told and he bowled inconsistently during the fourth Test victory at Johannesburg.
But Anderson was included in the squad revealed by chairman of selectors David Graveney as cover for Glamorgan seamer Simon Jones, who injured his right ankle during last week’s fourth Test victory at Trent Bridge and remains doubtful.
Collingwood has also been added to the squad but Hampshire seamer Tremlett has been overlooked despite being included in all four previous squads without ever breaking his way into the starting line-up.
Neither Collingwood nor Anderson are expected to play should Jones, who has been receiving treatment in an oxygen chamber this week in an effort to speed up his recover, come through practice successfully in the build-up to the Test.
Should Jones make it and start the match it would be the first time the same XI started all the Ashes tests since the 1884-85 series.
“Simon is continuing to make progress in his recovery from injury and we will give him as much time as he needs in order to prove his fitness,” confirmed chairman of selectors David Graveney.
“He will continue to receive treatment over the next 48 hours and be re-assessed by the medical team at practice on Tuesday”.
Jones will be expected to undergo strenuous fitness tests on Tuesday and Wednesday if he is to take his place in England’s line-up and not present an opportunity to Collingwood or Anderson, who claimed four for 52 on his last appearance at The Oval last year to help England claim a summer whitewash with a 10-wicket victory over West Indies.
Anderson, who has claimed 51 championship wickets for Lancashire this season, is favourite to earn a recall at The Oval should Jones fail to recover in time having leapfrogged ahead of Tremlett for the biggest Test in years following the Hampshire seamer’s untimely loss of form.
Tremlett has struggled to make his mark in county cricket after being released from each England Ashes squad this summer and was inconsistent in claiming two for 48 from 9.2 overs during Hampshire’s C and G Trophy final victory over Warwickshire at Lord’s on Saturday.
“Chris will be disappointed not to be included in the squad having been named in the 12 for the first four Test Matches,” conceded Graveney. “His involvement with the Test squad has meant limited opportunities for him with Hampshire in recent weeks and, as a consequence, we feel that he is not at the top of his game at present.
“James Anderson has big match experience with England and we feel that his inclusion in the squad will give the captain and coach another bowling option in the event of Simon Jones being unfit to play”.
Graveney also confirmed Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell, who suffered cramp during Saturday’s final defeat, has declared himself fit, although the inclusion of Collingwood in the squad also provides cover for him if he suffers any recurrence.—Agencies