Josh Tongue replaces Gus Atkinson as England make one change for must-win third Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide
Updated 15/12/2025 at 12:56 GMT
England are 2-0 down against Australia in their five-match Ashes Test series, meaning they must win the third match in Adelaide to stand any chance of taking the famous urn home with them. Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have made just one change to their side, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson. You can follow all of the action from this year's Ashes on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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England have made one change for the must-win third NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson.
Atkinson struggled in the first two matches - which were both won by the hosts in Perth and Brisbane - with just three wickets at a cost of 78 runs each.
Two of those wickets came when Australia had as good as won the match.
Tongue returns to the side having taken 31 wickets in his six Test matches, having made his debut against Ireland at Lord’s in 2023.
The Nottinghamshire bowler was involved in the home Ashes series two years ago and took the wicket of Australia’s Steve Smith in both innings at Lord’s.
Tongue took eight wickets in England’s fifth Test defeat to India at The Oval earlier this year.
Speaking ahead of the team announcement, England head coach Brendon McCullum spoke about Tongue’s likely inclusion.
"Everyone knows what he brings. High pace, hits the wicket hard from a fuller length, can swing and reverse swing the ball. If that's what we deem is going to be most successful, then he'll get a run," he said.
The selection means Will Jacks retains his place as the team’s nominated spin bowler, with Shoaib Bashir missing out again.
That is something that comes as a shock to Australia’s Nathan Lyon.
Speaking about the England squad ahead of the announcement, he said: "I would be surprised if their number one spinner is not playing. Will Jacks, I thought he played a pretty decent role in Brisbane with the opportunity he had.
"I'm not really concerned what XI England produce. We'll worry about what we're doing, and control what we can control."
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Lyon is expected to be in the Australia line-up for the first time this series, along with captain Pat Cummins - who is fit again after missing the opening matches due to injury.
England’s selection means there will be no change to the top seven of their batting order, which is a brave call with Joe Root the only player to average more than 30 runs following the first two Tests.
Speaking about his batting options, McCullum said: "These conditions [in Adelaide] should suit the style of batters that we've got.
"We know we haven't got enough runs so far in this series. We've been in positions where we could have and made some mistakes.
"But it's not about throwing out what has been successful for us over the last few years. It's about having more conviction.
"Knee-jerk reactions or chopping and changing settled batting line-ups is not really our way."
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McCullum has come under fire throughout the series so far, due to England being outplayed after what Sir Alastair Cook described as a "mad" lack of preparation.
England opted to play little warm-up cricket in the build-up to the Ashes and there was no senior involvement in the Canberra pink-ball match before the Brisbane day/night Test.
Asked about the scrutiny he faces, McCullum said: "It doesn't really bother me, to be honest.
"I certainly don't coach to protect the job. I coach to get the best out of people.
"I firmly believe that if we play our best cricket, we are a massive chance in this Test match.
"If we do that, then the narrative changes and the series momentum changes. But it's all in front of us to achieve."
Watch and stream every ball of the Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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