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Ashes XI Shake-Up: Why Tongue Replaces Atkinson for Crucial Adelaide Test

England have named their team for a must-win third Ashes Test in Adelaide. They've made one bowling change, bringing in Josh Tongue to replace the out-of-form Gus Atkinson. This means they'll go without a specialist spinner at a ground known to assist turn. The visitors trail 2-0 and must win this match to keep their series hopes alive.

Key Points: Josh Tongue Replaces Gus Atkinson in England XI for Adelaide Ashes Test

  • England trail 0-2 and must win all three remaining Tests to reclaim the Ashes urn
  • Josh Tongue is picked for his wicket-taking threat over Matthew Potts's control
  • Gus Atkinson struggled with just three wickets at a high average of 78.66
  • The decision to bench spinner Shoaib Bashir at spin-friendly Adelaide draws mixed reactions
2 min read

Ashes: Tongue replaces Atkinson as England name starting XI for Adelaide Test

England make one change for must-win Adelaide Test, with Josh Tongue replacing the struggling Gus Atkinson in their Ashes bowling attack.

"We've made one change... with seamer Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson. - England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)"

New Delhi, Dec 15

England have announced their playing XI for the upcoming third Test of the Ashes series, which begins on Wednesday at Adelaide Oval. Gus Atkinson has been replaced by Josh Tongue.

With the Ben Stokes-led team trailing Australia 0-2, the remaining three games of the iconic series are must-win matches for the visitors if they are to claim the Ashes urn.

Tongue making his way to the lineup means that the team will continue to bench Shoaib Bashir, a decision that draws mixed reactions as the Adelaide Oval is dubbed to be one of the most spin-friendly pitches that the Englishmen will encounter on this Ashes tour down under.

“England Men have announced their team for the third Ashes Test match at Adelaide Oval. We've made one change from the second Test in Brisbane, with seamer Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson,” the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in their statement on Monday.

Atkinson’s tour has been a challenging one, although he is not the only England bowler struggling. He has returned figures of just three wickets from 54 overs at an average of 78.66, the poorest record among the team’s attack.

His first breakthrough did not arrive until the final delivery of his 41st over in the series, during Australia’s first innings of the second Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. A noticeable drop in pace has also reduced the snap he gets from the pitch.

England have turned to Josh Tongue in search of a greater attacking threat, favouring wicket-taking potential over the tighter control that Matthew Potts might have provided. Tongue is set to make his seventh Test appearance since breaking into the side during the 2023 home summer, having claimed 31 wickets at an average of 30.

England’s Playing XI for third Ashes Test: ⁠Zak Crawley, ⁠Ben Duckett,⁠ Ollie Pope, ⁠Joe Root, Harry Brook, ⁠Ben Stokes (c), ⁠Jamie Smith (wk), ⁠Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, ⁠Jofra Archer, ⁠Josh Tongue

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Not picking Bashir for Adelaide is a strange call. Everyone knows it's a spin-friendly track. Are they scared to play a specialist spinner? Root can't do it all. Feels like a defensive mindset from Stokes and McCullum when they promised "Bazball" aggression.
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Aman W
The team selection seems a bit reactive. They're 0-2 down and panicking. Tongue for Atkinson is fine, but the balance feels off. Where is the spin option? Watching from India, it's clear that in modern cricket, you need a balanced attack, especially away from home.
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Sarah B
Good luck to Josh Tongue! He's got a chance to be a hero. But honestly, England's bigger problem might be their batting collapses. You can't win Tests scoring 250. Hope it's a good match, the Ashes is the best contest in cricket.
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Vikram M
As an Indian cricket follower, this is a fascinating selection. They're going all-in on pace even on a spin-friendly pitch. It's a high-risk strategy. If it backfires, the criticism will be severe. But if Tongue and Archer fire, they could script a comeback. The drama is superb! 🏏
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I think the management is overthinking. Adelaide *does* take spin later. Not having a proper spinner, even as a containing option, could hurt them in the fourth innings. It feels like they're trying to out-Australia Australia, which rarely works down under. Hope I'm wrong for a good contest!

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