The ECB has announced the England Playing 11 for the third test of the Ashes 2025-26 with one solid change from the 11 who were fielded during the second test.
Josh Tongue will be playing for the first time in the series as England benched opening bowler Gus Atkinson and held firm with quick Brydon Carse despite his expensive outing in their Brisbane defeat under lights.
The visitors have suffered back-to-back defeats in the ongoing series, trailing 0-2 in the series. Only Joe Root shone among the top 7 who have an average above 30 through the first two test series of the series.
Speaking on the process, England head coach Brendon McCullum said, “We know we haven’t got enough runs so far in the series,” said McCullum. “But for us to go on and win the series, it’s not about throwing out what’s been successful.”
The 28-year-old Josh Tongue has 31 wickets from his six matches and has played against Australia in the Ashes 2023, taking five wickets in the Lord’s Test made infamous by Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal.
Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson had collected just three wickets in his two tests this series at an average of 78.66 from his 54 overs.
The right armer went wicketless in the opening test in Perth and was expensive in Australia’s first innings at the Gabba with a return of 1/114.
Meanwhile, Brydon Carse went at 5.24 per over during the first innings in Brisbane, conceding 152 from 29 overs, but did take four wickets amid an up-and-down performance.
Speaking on Australia’s attack ahead of the third test, England vice-captain Harry Brook said, “They’ve been incredibly highly skilled, and they’ve nailed their execution.”
“You can’t take this bowling attack lightly. They very rarely miss. You’ve got to try and create your own bad balls. That might be me running down (the wicket), it might be me changing my guard or whatever.
“They don’t miss often, and you’ve got to tip your hat to them; they’ve bowled really well this series.”
Down but not out.
This group believes 👊
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“There are them pressure situations, which we haven’t been really that good at so far,” he said.
“When we’re head-to-head, they’ve managed to be the better side and sneak in front. And everybody realises that.
“We’ve just got to stand up in them certain situations, read the game slightly better (and) just have a little bit of grit and determination about you,” added Harry Brook.
England Playing 11 for 3rd 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
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