England captain Ben Stokes is ready to have "serious conversations" about an operation on his troublesome knee injury in a bid to set him on course for another tilt at the Ashes in 2025/26.
England have named an unchanged XI for the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Oval with record wicket-taker James Anderson keeping his place in the team.
Ben Stokes admitted England's predicament in the Ashes means keeping one eye on the weather forecast and the possibility of an even bolder approach in the fourth Test.
Ben Stokes revelled in England seizing an Ashes lifeline at Headingley again but he admitted being a hostage to fortune this time as he was a bundle of nerves four years on from his virtuoso heroics.
England have their sights set on an unlikely Ashes Test win after their bowlers came to the party against Australia at Headingley on Saturday.
Moeen Ali is confident England can fight their way back into Ashes contention, as long as captain Ben Stokes is leading the team.