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Ashes 2025: England's Bold Adelaide Gamble Amid 2-0 Deficit

Facing a 2-0 series deficit, England have announced their team for the crucial third Ashes Test in Adelaide. Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have made just one change to the side, bringing in Josh Tongue for the struggling Gus Atkinson. Interestingly, they've decided against picking spinner Shoaib Bashir, even though the Adelaide pitch is expected to offer turn. Tongue, who has a good record against Steve Smith, will be looking to make an immediate impact in this must-win match for England.

Key Points: England XI for 3rd Ashes Test with Tongue Replacing Atkinson

  • England make one enforced change for the must-win third Ashes Test in Adelaide
  • Josh Tongue replaces the struggling Gus Atkinson in the pace attack
  • Selectors resist spin option, omitting Shoaib Bashir despite a spin-friendly pitch
  • Tongue brings strong recent form and a proven record against Steve Smith
2 min read

England announce playing XI for 3rd Ashes Test

England name must-win Ashes XI for Adelaide, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson as the sole change. Full team list and selection analysis inside.

"He has taken just three wickets from 54 overs at an average of 78.66 - on Gus Atkinson's tour struggles"

Adelaide, December 15

Ben Stokes-led England have announced their playing XI for the third match of the Ashes against Australia at Adelaide Oval, making a single change as Josh Tongue replaces Gus Atkinson in the pace attack, as per ESPNcricinfo.

Notably, England opted not to include Shoaib Bashir, despite the Adelaide pitch promising to be the most spin-friendly of this Ashes series.

Trailing 2-0, England were always expected to make changes for their must-win Test. However, after head coach Brendon McCullum publicly backed a struggling top seven earlier, he and captain Ben Stokes have chosen to make only one adjustment, with Gus Atkinson dropping out.

Atkinson has struggled throughout the tour. He has taken just three wickets from 54 overs at an average of 78.66--the highest among England's bowlers.

England have turned to Josh Tongue. Tongue will earn his seventh Test cap since debuting in the 2023 home season, having claimed 31 wickets at an average of exactly 30.

This will be Tongue's second outing against Australia, having previously played at Lord's in the last Ashes, where he took five wickets in the match, including dismissing Steven Smith twice--though the first came when Smith was on 110. The 28-year-old has taken Smith's wicket four times overall: once for Worcestershire in the 2023 County Championship when Smith was representing Sussex and again in this year's edition of The Hundred.

Tongue's most recent Test appearance was in England's final match of the summer, where he claimed 5 for 125 against India--his second five-wicket haul--finishing as England's leading wicket-taker of the series with 19 scalps from just three matches.

England playing XI for Adelaide Test against Australia:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
Tongue for Atkinson is a no-brainer given the stats. But not changing the top order after being 2-0 down? That's very bold, or maybe stubborn. McCullum and Stokes' 'Bazball' faith is being tested big time. As a neutral, it's thrilling to watch!
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Aman W
Good to see Jofra Archer back in the mix. Pace is pace, yaar! But the real story is Tongue vs Smith. Getting Smith out four times is no fluke. That's a proper bowler's bunny situation. If he does it again in Adelaide, he'll be a hero.
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Sarah B
Respectfully, I think this is a mistake. Sticking with the same batting lineup shows a lack of accountability. In India, if the top order fails in two Tests, changes are inevitable. This feels like blind loyalty over practical cricket sense. The pressure is immense now.
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Karthik V
Tongue's figures against India last summer were seriously impressive. 19 wickets in 3 matches! If he brings that form, Australia should be worried. England's pace attack with him, Archer, and Carse looks sharp on paper. Let's see if they can deliver.
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Nidhi U
Excited for the match! The Ashes is always special. From an Indian perspective, it's great prep to see how these bowlers perform before our next tour there. Hoping for a close contest, not another one-sided affair. Come on England, make a fight of it! 🤞

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