Ashes 2025, AUS vs ENG 3rd Test: England have announced their playing XI for the third Test against Australia in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26, which is scheduled to be played in Adelaide from December 17 to 21. They have made just one change in their lineup from the second Test.
Josh Tongue has made his way back to the Test team and is all set to play his first match in the ongoing five-match Test series. He has replaced Gus Atkinson. Amid the speculations, Ben Stokes will continue to lead the England team, while Will Jacks retains his place in the XI after being included for the Second Test. This will be Tongue’s first appearance in red-ball cricket for England since their final Test against India at the Oval in July earlier this year, where England lost the Test by six runs in a thriller.
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England will be aiming to produce an improved effort in order to remain alive in the ongoing series. They will be heading into the match on the back of an 8-wicket defeat in the previous match in Brisbane by 8 wickets. The visitors are now 0-2 down in the ongoing Ashes.
Atkinson hasn't been at his best in the Ashes so far and has endured a poor run with the ball, claiming just three wickets across two Tests at an average of 78.66. Talking about Tongue, the right-arm pacer went wicketless in the day-night tour game against Australia’s PM XI.
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England will take the field in Adelaide under immense pressure as the players, including skipper Ben Stokes, have faced massive criticism after their disappointing performances in the first two Tests. Having been in the contest for most of the game in Perth, England were completely outclassed in the pink-ball Test.
For Australia, all eyes will be on the comeback star and skipper Pat Cummins, who has missed the first two matches due to injury issues. In his absence, Mitchell Starc has led the pace attack brilliantly and is already the leading wicket-taker with 18 wickets to his name at an average of 14.
England's playing XI for 3rd Ashes Test against Australia
1. Zak Crawley 2. Ben Duckett 3. Ollie Pope 4. Joe Root 5. Harry Brook 6. Ben Stokes (c) 7. Jamie Smith (wk) 8. Will Jacks 9. Brydon Carse 10. Jofra Archer 11. Josh Tongue