England have made just one change to their squad for the crucial third Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide, bringing in fast bowler Josh Tongue while leaving young spinner Shoaib Bashir on the sidelines. The hosts trail 2-0 in the series, making Wednesday’s match a must-win encounter for the visitors.
Head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes opted for continuity in the top seven, despite publicly backing their struggling batsmen over the weekend. The only adjustment sees Gus Atkinson make way for Tongue, a move that reflects England’s desire for a wicket-taking option on a pitch expected to offer variable bounce and some assistance to seamers.
Josh Tongue Replaces Gus Atkinson for Wicket-Taking Ability
Gus Atkinson has had a tough Ashes tour, claiming just three wickets from 54 overs at an average of 78.66. His pace has dipped, reducing his effectiveness on Australian surfaces. In contrast, Josh Tongue, earning his seventh Test cap since debuting in 2023, brings a proven ability to strike, having taken 31 wickets at an average of 30 in his Test career.
Tongue has prior experience against Australia, taking five wickets at Lord’s in the previous Ashes and dismissing Steven Smith four times across various competitions. He also finished the recent series against India as England’s leading wicket-taker with 19 scalps from three matches, demonstrating a knack for removing lower-order batsmen—a crucial skill after England’s failure to dismiss Australia’s tail effectively in Brisbane.
Shoaib Bashir Omitted Despite Spin-Friendly Conditions
The decision to leave Shoaib Bashir out highlights England’s current lack of faith in the 22-year-old offspinner, even on a pitch expected to favor spin. Bashir, who impressed during his debut Ashes tour in India, has struggled in warm-up games, taking just two wickets in pre-series matches and failing to make an impact against Australia A.
While Stokes has publicly backed Bashir and recognized his courage—most notably bowling in Lord’s to secure a win against India despite a finger injury—recent performances have not inspired confidence. Will Jacks will continue as the team’s spin option, having delivered tidy spells in Brisbane while also contributing crucial runs with the bat. England are likely to open the bowling with Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, combining pace and aggression for the Adelaide surface.
England XI for Adelaide: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue
