England could opt to rest spinner Graeme Swann for the match, having already wrapped up the series 3-0, and hand tweaker Kerrigan his debut. He joins Chris Woakes as the other new addition to the 14-man squad.
Kerrigan, 24, plays in County Championship division two, where he is the second highest wicket-taker. “I found out yesterday when I got a call from [national selector] Geoff Miller,” he said.
“I’m delighted to be selected, but it was a bit hard to take in when he rang. It all felt a bit surreal to be honest. My phone went into a bit of a meltdown this morning, and I’m grateful for all the messages and good wishes.”
Swann has taken 23 Ashes wickets and been one of the big difference between the two sides in the series, but Kerrigan’s keen to take his chance. “Hopefully I can impress over the next couple of days and be ready if they choose two spinners,” he said.
Woakes was with the England side throughout the fourth Test at Durham and has played 13 one-day international, but not a Test.
“I’m thrilled to be named in the squad for the final Ashes Test of the summer,” he said. “Representing your country in any form of the game is a great honour. But Test-match cricket, particularly the Ashes, is the pinnacle.
“I was fortunate to be with the team on every day of the fourth Test in Durham, and now being included in the squad is a great opportunity for me to impress – as well as being one that I will relish.”
England 14-man squad for fifth Test: A Cook (Essex, capt), J Anderson (Lancashire), J Bairstow (Yorkshire), I Bell (Warwickshire), S Broad (Nottinghamshire), S Finn (Middlesex), S Kerrigan (Lancashire), K Pietersen (Surrey), M Prior (Sussex), J Root (Yorkshire), G Swann (Nottinghamshire), C Tremlett (Surrey), J Trott (Warwickshire), C Woakes (Warwickshire).
