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England have announced their playing XI for the third Ashes 2025-26 Test, beginning on December 17 at the Adelaide Oval. The tourists made one change to their side, bringing in Josh Tongue for Gus Atkinson as they hope to win the Test and keep the series alive.
Atkinson bowled considerably well in the first two Tests but has only returned with three wickets. It thus prompted the Englishmen to go for a like-for-like replacement. Tongue hasn't been that inspiring either in the couple of tour games in Australia, taking only two wickets against England Lions and none versus Prime Minister's XI. But the right-arm pacer was the second-highest wicket-taker during the summer in the five-Test series against India. The 28-year-old accounted for 19 scalps in six innings at 29.05.
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In six Tests, Josh Tongue has bagged 31 wickets, averaging 30. His only Ashes Test came at Lord's in 2023 and he took five wickets in the match. The visitors will hope for their selection tweak to work in a must-win game in Adelaide.
England playing XI for third 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.
"Sometimes we've got to rein it in a little bit" - England star ahead of 3rd Ashes Test
With vice-captain Harry Brook short of runs and playing some rash shots in the first two Tests, the Yorkshire batter admitted that he must learn how to absorb pressure at times. The right-hander said, as quoted by ICC:
"Sometimes we've got to rein it in a little bit. Learn when to absorb the pressure a little bit more and then realise when the opportunity arises to put pressure back on them. I feel like I probably haven't done that as well as I usually do in this series so far. There's no reason behind that, I just haven't identified those situations well enough."
Australia, who are 2-0 up in the series, will be boosted by the return of their regular captain Pat Cummins in Adelaide.
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