ADELAIDE: England have made a single change to their XI for the third Ashes Test, with Josh Tongue drafted in as a like-for-like replacement for Gus Atkinson in the pace attack, the team confirmed on Monday. The match begins on Wednesday at the Adelaide Oval, where England must win to keep their slim Ashes hopes alive.
Atkinson endured a difficult start to the series, going wicketless in the Perth opener despite a useful second-innings contribution of 37 with the bat. He showed improvement in Brisbane, returning figures of three for 151, but England still slumped to an eight-wicket defeat, their second of the series.
Tongue, a right-arm quick, brings proven Test credentials, having taken 31 wickets in six matches at an average of 30. He also impressed against Australia at Lord’s in 2023, claiming a five-wicket haul in his only previous Ashes appearance.
Despite struggles from the batting unit across the first two Tests, England’s selectors have opted for continuity, resisting changes to personnel or positions as they look for a response in Adelaide.
