England make massive change for 3rd Ashes 2025/26 Test in Adelaide
England, after being 2-0 down heading into the third Test of the Ashes 2025/26 in Adelaide with defeats in Perth and Brisbane, have decided to make a massive change in their make-or-break contest.
After being 2-0 down post the first couple of Tests of the Ashes 2025/26 in Perth and Brisbane, England find themselves under tremendous pressure to turn the tables in the make-or-break third Test at the Adelaide Oval, which begins on December 17. They have drafted in Josh Tongue but have decided to go against Shoaib Bashir for the most spin-friendly surface.
The head coach, Brendon McCullum, backed their struggling top seven on the weekend as captain Ben Stokes decided to make one solitary change with Gus Atkinson making way. The Surrey pacer had a difficult trip with an average of 78.66, which is the worst of the England bowlers with just three wickets from 54 overs- the first of which came in his 41st over of the series.
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In Tongue, England have opted for a wicket-taking option rather than the control they get from Matthew Potts. The seamer will earn his seventh Test cap since debuting in the 2023 home season, with 31 dismissals at an average of 30.
England make one change ahead of Ashes 2025/26 Test in Adelaide
Tongue’s first meeting with Australia came at Lord’s during the last Ashes when he took five wickets in the match, including Steve Smith twice. The 28-year-old has dismissed Smith four times in all, once for Worcestershire in the 2023 County Championship when the batter was playing for Sussex, besides playing him in this year’s The Hundred.
Ollie Pope, despite a struggling first four innings down under, has retained his place. It was a surprising factor that the management didn’t pick Bashir in the eleven, with Australia set to welcome their veteran spinner, Nathan Lyon. They built Bashir for this specific tour for the last two years, and still decided to leave him out in the crunch game.
That means Will Jacks will remain the top spin option for the visitors. He was tidy for his 11.3 overs in Brisbane’s pink-ball Test, returning with 1/34. Joe Root can also contribute a few overs by rotating his arm.
England’s playing XI for Ashes 2025/26 Test in Adelaide
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk..), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.
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