England have recalled 6’4″ pacer Josh Tongue to their playing eleven for the third Ashes Test, which begins at the Adelaide Oval on December 17. The speedster replaces Gus Atkinson, who endured a torrid run and managed just three wickets in 54 overs at an average of 78.66, the worst among England bowlers in the series.
Tongue was England’s leading wicket-taker in the series against India earlier this year, taking 19 wickets in three matches, including five at Kennington Oval. Matthew Potts was also in contention for a place, but the visitors opted for Tongue as their primary goalkeeping option.
THE POPE HOLDS A PLACE
Among other things, Ollie Pope kept his place in the playing eleven despite being on his head in the series. In two matches, the right-hander scored 105 runs at an average of 26.25. Former captain Michael Atherton suggested Jacob Bethell as a possible replacement for Pope at No.3, but England showed faith in Pope and stuck with him.
England also retained Will Jacks and left Shoaib Bashir on the bench despite Adelaide being touted as the friendliest line-up of the series. Bashir has not featured in any Test since then the commemorative release of Mohammed Siraj in the Lord’s test.
England have not won a Test on Australian soil since Andrew Strauss’ side secured a 3-1 series victory in 2010-11. Since then, they have lost 15 of their 17 Tests, with only two draws. England need to win the Adelaide Test to stay alive in the ongoing Ashes. Overall, England have won nine of the 33 Tests played in Adelaide, with the last victory there coming in 2010.
England playing 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
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
December 15, 2025
