Ashes 2019: England name unchanged squad for third Test as James Anderson continues battle for fitness

England have named an unchanged 12-man squad for the third the Ashes Test at Headingley beginning on Thursday.

The brevity of a four-day turnaround between matches meant changes to the struggling top order were always unlikely at this stage, while James Anderson is not yet considered fit after a calf injury.

That means the XI that drew a compelling, rain-affected draw at Lord's on Sunday will remain in place, joined by all-rounder Sam Curran, who will be withdrawn from Surrey's County Championship game against Hampshire.

Anderson, who pulled up after bowling just four overs in the first Test defeat at Edgbaston, is said to be "making progress".

He will play for Lancashire's second XI in a three-day match against Leicestershire on Tuesday in Liverpool and will be assessed continually leading up to his home Test at Old Trafford on September 4.

While the selectors were always likely to keep faith with their batting personnel for at least one more match, their decision was made a little easier by low scores on Sunday from Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley.

The pair are considered the best young openers in the country and could be promoted should Jason Roy's lean run continue, but Sibley got a duck for Warwickshire against Somerset on Sunday and Crawley was dismissed for just five.