London: England's pace spearhead James Anderson is set to miss the fifth and final Ashes Test after losing a fitness battle.


James Anderson. Pic/AFP 

The final Test begins on Thursday at The Oval cricket ground with England already claiming an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series. Anderson, England's leading Test wicket-taker, missed the Ashes-clinching victory in the fourth Test at the Trent Bridge cricket ground, due to a side strain sustained in the third match triumph.