England have announced their playing XI for the crucial third Ashes Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval from December 17, 2025, with one change: fast bowler Josh Tong replaces Gus Atkinson.
Ben Stokes’s team, trailing 2-0 after eight-wicket defeats in Perth and Brisbane, will have to win this day test to stay in the series. Despite Adelaide’s pitches being expected to yield the most turn in the series, England have once again left out specialist off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, relying on the part-time spin of Will Jacks with an all-seam attack.
Atkinson struggled on the tour, taking just three wickets from 54 overs at an expensive average of 78.66, including going wicketless in Perth. His replacement Tong has proven his worth against Australia, taking five wickets (including dismissing Steve Smith twice) in his only previous Ashes match at Lord’s in 2023.
The 28-year-old Nottinghamshire seamer has taken 31 Test wickets at an average of 30 in six matches, with a stellar performance in his last match against India, which included a five-wicket haul. Tong, along with Joffra Archer, Braydon Carse and Stokes, will strengthen the team with their bounce and pace.
Head coach Brendon McCullum reaffirmed his confidence in the batting lineup despite their poor form, prioritizing consistency. **England XI:** Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.
The decision reflects England’s aggressive ‘baseball’ approach, relying on fast bowling even on turning tracks, as they look to return to the 2025-26 Ashes.
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