A single alteration has been made to the England lineup ahead of the pivotal third Ashes Test in Adelaide. Fast bowler Josh Tongue has been selected to replace Gus Atkinson in the squad.
Atkinson, who went wicketless in the series opener in Perth before taking three wickets in Brisbane, makes way for Tongue. The right-arm paceman has previous experience against Australia, having claimed a five-wicket haul at Lord’s in 2023.
Facing a must-win scenario to keep the series alive after two eight-wicket defeats, England’s batting order remains unchanged. However, key batter Harry Brook has acknowledged a need for personal recalibration. While affirming his commitment to the team’s attacking philosophy, Brook conceded that his shot selection contributed to his dismissals in the previous matches.
“Some of those shots were poor, I’ll hold my hands up,” Brook stated. “There are times to be aggressive and times to be smarter. It’s about reading the moment, showing some grit, and making better decisions under pressure.”
Brook emphasized that the squad is focused on the immediate challenge and improving their performance in critical phases of the game, areas where Australia has held the advantage so far. He dismissed external criticism as background noise, concentrating instead on his preparation and the opportunity to influence the match.
“These are the situations you want to be in as a player,” he said. “The aim is to deliver, stick to your method, and stay present. The outcome will follow.”
The third Test begins at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday, with Australia having the chance to secure the series and retain the Ashes.
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.