Ashes 2023: James Anderson, Josh Tongue Make Way For Mark Wood, Chris Woakes As England Name Playing XI For Leeds Test

JE Sports Desk: England have made three changes for the third Ashes test against Australia which begins in Headingley on Thursday with Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood named in the side. Notably, Ben Stokes-led side is trailing 2-0 to Australia as they look to make a comeback at Leeds, considered their happy hunting ground.

It was expected that vice-captain Ollie Pope would be forced change after been ruled out of the rest of the series after dislocating his shoulder, which requires surgery. Other than Pope, Josh Tongue and James Anderson have been rested for the do-or-die encounter.

With Pope not in the squad, Harry Brook will be promoted to number three.

Moeen came out of retirement for the first test but the spinner injured his finger, sitting out the second encounter at Lord's.

Wood was not picked for the first two tests and England will welcome his fiery pace while Woakes's all-round ability will give the hosts depth in their batting lineup.

Anderson is England's leading wicket-taker in tests (688) but the 40-year-old struggled to make an impact in the series with just three wickets in the first two matches.

Tongue made his test debut against Ireland last month where he impressed with a five-wicket haul in the second innings and made his Ashes bow at Lord's, where he took five in two innings.

England's Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (captain), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad.

Inputs from Reuters

Here's why Ollie Pope won't feature in the 3rd test.

Here's what Pat Cummins said before the game.