Veteran pacer James Anderson has been left out of England’s Playing XI for the third Ashes Test, scheduled to commence from July 6 at Headingley.
Hosts England, who are 0-2 down in the ongoing Ashes series, on Wednesday, named their Playing XI for the must-win third Test and made three changes.
Veteran pacer James Anderson has been excluded from the Playing XI and was replaced by lethal pacer Mark Wood.
According to a statement released by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday, both Anderson and fellow paceman Josh Tongue have been “rested,” while express pacer Wood and fast-bowling all-arounder Chris Woakes have taken their places.
Moeen Ali, who came out of Test retirement for the Ashes, returned to England’s Playing XI for the third Test after missing the Lord’s Test due to a blister on his right hand’s index finger.
The off-spinner replaced England’s vice-captain Ollie Pope, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series with a dislocated shoulder.
Harry Brook has now been promoted up the order to take Pope’s place at No 3.
Ben Stokes-led England are eyeing a miraculous comeback in the Ashes remainder and will have to imitate an 86-year-old record of Don Bradman’s Australian side to shrug off the 2-0 deficit to win an Ashes series.
On the contrary, if Australia emerge victorious at Headingley, Pat Cummins will become the first Australian captain to win an away Ashes series after a long 22-year hiatus.
England’s Playing XI for the third Test:
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Ben Stokes (c), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad.
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