Josh Tongue's Wicket-Taking Ability Earns His Place in Third Ashes Test - Ben Stokes

Josh Tongue is set to replace Gus Atkinson as the only change to England's lineup for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide on Wednesday. Despite expectations for a spin-friendly pitch, Will Jacks will play ahead of Shoaib Bashir.

England's captain, Ben Stokes, highlighted Tongue's knack for taking wickets as a key factor in his selection, bolstering the seam attack. This decision comes after Brendon McCullum publicly supported England's top seven batsmen on Sunday, which had already reduced the chances of Jacob Bethell being included in the squad. Brydon Carse is slated to share the new ball duties with Jofra Archer, stepping in for Atkinson.

Tongue, 28, boasts an impressive record of 31 wickets in his first six Tests, achieving a wicket every 44.1 balls. His aggressive bowling style comes at an economy rate exceeding four runs per over. The England team believes Tongue's unique bowling action, delivering the ball from an angle beyond the perpendicular, makes it challenging for batsmen to anticipate his deliveries, a point Stokes mentioned after a recent training session.

Stokes explained one aspect of the selection was introducing a different bowler for the batters to assess. He stated that Tongue's ability to create difficult angles and his natural talent for taking wickets are assets that England believes will be beneficial in the upcoming match.

While Atkinson has struggled to make a significant impact in the series, taking only three wickets in 54 overs, Stokes defended him, saying he had been unlucky and that rotation within the seam attack was always planned. Two of Atkinson's wickets came during Australia's quick chase in the second Test at the Gabba, and his reduced pace has been noticeable.

Stokes emphasized the physical demands on seam bowlers, saying it’s a big ask for any seamer to play five games. He reiterated that Atkinson bowled well but without deserving luck, especially with the new ball. He further added that Tongue's proven wicket-taking ability is a valuable asset, noting his knack for securing clusters of wickets or crucial breakthroughs, regardless of the match situation.

Tongue's selection ahead of Matthew Potts and Matthew Fisher also reflects his past success, including a 5 for 151 performance in the previous Ashes Test at Lord's in 2023. Notably, he dismissed Steven Smith twice in that match (for 110 and 34) and has consistently troubled Smith, dismissing him in all four innings he has bowled to him, including a County Championship match in 2023 and this year's Hundred.

During the previous summer series against India, Tongue emerged as England's leading wicket-taker with 19 wickets, which included a second-innings five-wicket haul at The Oval. He has also demonstrated effectiveness against tail-end batsmen, a trait Stokes believes will be advantageous at Adelaide Oval.

Stokes anticipates the Adelaide surface will require Tongue's specific attributes. He believes it will be one of the truer wickets in Australia, differing from the bounce seen in the first two games.

Despite Stokes' earlier suggestion that Bashir was England's primary spinner, Jacks' retention comes after his all-round performance, which included 60 runs, a wicket, and a remarkable catch. Stokes acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, praising Jacks' composure at the crease and effectiveness with the ball.

Stokes clarified that Bashir's omission wasn't a reflection of his abilities. He explained that Jacks at No. 8 strengthens the batting lineup and provides a capable spin option when needed, which is particularly important when big runs and wickets are crucial.

Carse will share the new ball with Archer, a role he previously held in eight of his eleven Tests. Stokes praised Carse's commitment to giving his all, even if his performance in Australia hasn't met his expectations. Stokes said that Carse always runs in and gives everything.

Australia is expected to make at least two changes to their lineup, with Pat Cummins likely returning as captain and Nathan Lyon potentially recalled after missing the pink-ball Test in Brisbane. A decision remains on whether to include Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, or Beau Webster for the final batting spot.

England XI: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Will Jacks, 9 Brydon Carse, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Josh Tongue.