England has announced an important change ahead of the crucial third Test against Australia, commencing on March 15, 2024, in Adelaide. The team will replace bowler Gus Atkinson with Josh Tongue, while the batting lineup remains unchanged. Notably, the omission of front-line spinner Shoaib Bashir has raised questions, particularly given the expected pitch conditions in Adelaide.
Despite the potential for spin, England has opted to keep part-time spinner Will Jacks in the lineup at No. 8. Coach Brendon McCullum emphasized the need for consistency in selection, advising against “knee-jerk reactions” following England’s dismal performance in the first two Tests, where they found themselves 2-0 down in the series.
Ollie Pope retains his position at No. 3, as England has chosen not to make alterations to their top order, resisting the temptation to include players like Jacob Bethell. The decision to drop Atkinson follows a lackluster performance, where he took only three wickets for 236 runs across both matches. His struggles to penetrate the Australian batting lineup have been evident, and his removal was anticipated.
Bashir’s continued exclusion is particularly noteworthy. The talented 22-year-old was touted by McCullum as England’s “best, No 1 spinner” but has yet to make a compelling case for selection. His performance in previous matches has been underwhelming, with figures of 2-151 in a warm-up game and 0-115 for the Lions against Australia A.
In contrast, Jacks had a commendable outing in Brisbane, scoring a solid 41 runs in the second innings, which likely contributed to his retention in the squad. Australian spinner Nathan Lyon expressed surprise that Bashir was not included, stating, “I would be surprised if their No 1 spinner’s not playing.” He acknowledged Jacks’ decent role but underscored the need for Australia to focus on their own strategy.
Tongue’s inclusion marks his seventh Test appearance and his first in an overseas setting. The 28-year-old has claimed 31 wickets to date, including five in his only Ashes Test at Lord’s in 2023, where he notably dismissed Australian star Steve Smith in both innings. Tongue has built a reputation as an aggressive bowler capable of dismantling batting lineups, a quality that England desperately needs after struggling to contain Australia’s tail in the previous match.
McCullum spoke highly of Tongue’s capabilities, stating, “Everyone knows what he brings; high pace, hits the wicket hard from a fuller length, and he can swing and reverse swing the ball.” He believes that Tongue’s skills will be crucial for England’s success in Adelaide.
The full England squad for the match includes: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, and Josh Tongue. As the team prepares to face Australia, the spotlight remains on their tactical decisions and the impact of these changes on the series outcome.
