Ashes 2025-26: England unveil playing XI for the Adelaide Test without specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir

England have announced their playing XI for the crucial Third Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide, starting Wednesday, December 17, with a singular change to the line-up that fell to a second successive defeat in Brisbane. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson has been dropped, as the tourists look to claw their way back from a 2-0 series deficit.

Josh Tongue to play in place of Gus Atkinson

Facing a series whitewash on Australian soil for the fourth consecutive time, England’s management have largely kept faith with the core of the team, opting for a solitary personnel change by including fast bowler Josh Tongue. Tongue, who impressed in his last Test outing against Ireland, is known for his sharp pace and ability to extract bounce. His reintroduction is a clear move to increase the strike power of the seam attack, with Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse retained alongside captain Ben Stokes. The introduction of Tongue, known for his high speed and awkward angle, is an attempt to complement Archer and Carse and deliver the early breakthroughs the team has lacked.

Np place for Shoiab Bashir despite Adelaide’s spin-friendly conditions

The decision to once again overlook 22-year-old off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in favour of the all-rounder Will Jacks is arguably the most surprising move of the selection process. The Adelaide Oval is widely considered the most spinner-friendly ground in Australia outside of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The drop-in pitch, coupled with the hot South Australian sun, often breaks up, offering significant turn and variable bounce, especially in the latter half of the Test. Australia have already confirmed the return of their ace spinner, Nathan Lyon, for the match, underscoring the typical conditions. Former players and pundits have been quick to question why England would deny their best frontline spinner a debut on the pitch most tailored to his craft.

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England’s playing XI for the third Ashes Test:

⁠Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, ⁠Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes,  ⁠Jamie Smith (wk), ⁠Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, ⁠Josh Tongue

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