England playing XI for third Ashes 2025-26 Test announced; Gus Atkinson dropped

England have confirmed their playing XI for the third Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, starting on Wednesday, December 17. The visitors have made one change to the side, with fast bowler Josh Tongue brought back into the team as they look to keep the series alive in a must-win encounter.

England lost the second Test by eight wickets in Brisbane and conceded a 0-2 lead to Australia. Gus Atkinson has been left out of the playing XI. Spinner Shoaib Bashir has once again missed out, with England continuing to place their trust in Will Jacks. The team management has backed Jacks over Bashir as the lone spinner.

England Confirm Playing XI for the Third Ashes Test

The visiting team confirmed their playing XI for the third Ashes Test in an official announcement. Josh Tongue has replaced Gus Atkinson for the upcoming Adelaide Test.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

"England Men have announced their team for the third Ashes Test match at Adelaide Oval. We've made one change from the second Test in Brisbane, with seamer Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson," the statement read.

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

Gus Atkinson Dropped from Playing XI for Third Test

Gus Atkinson has been left out after struggling in the first two Tests. He picked up only three wickets and went wicketless in the opening match in Perth. The fast bowler was expensive in Australia’s first innings on Brisbane, and he took two wickets later in the run chase.

Josh Tongue has been brought back into the side. The 28-year-old fast bowler has played six Tests and taken 31 wickets. He also featured in the 2023 Ashes, where he claimed five wickets at Lord’s. Tongue offers good pace, an awkward angle, and aims at the stumps.

Brydon Carse also had a mixed outing in Brisbane. He gave away plenty of runs in the first innings but still managed to take four wickets. England appear to be looking for more impact and variety from their bowling attack as the Ashes series continues.

Shoaib Bashir Misses Out Again as Team Stick with Will Jacks

Shoaib Bashir has once again missed out on selection, despite being seen as a long-term option for the team. The young spinner was expected to play a bigger part in the series, but the fast conditions in Perth and Brisbane worked against his chances.

England have continued with Will Jacks, who is more of a white-ball batter. Captain Ben Stokes had earlier said that the choice was based on conditions. He stated that Bashir would be selected when pitches are more suitable.

“He knows if it was down to picking our best spinner, he’d have played. If it ever comes down to picking our number one spinner, selection would go the other way.”

Also read: Bangladesh backstabs BCCI again, restricts players’ availability for IPL 2026