Single Change for Must-Win Adelaide Clash as England Back Core Batting Unit

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England has announced its playing XI for the upcoming Ashes Test series against Australia, which is set to take place at Adelaide Oval. However, England has made one notable change to their playing XI for the third Ashes Test.

According to ESPNcricinfo, right-arm fast-medium bowler Josh Tongue will be replacing Gus Atkinson, who is a seamer and lower-order batsman. 

Josh Tongue Replaces Gus Atkinson in Pace Attack for Adelaide

This is a tactical selection by the team's selectors considering the series score 0-2. Atkinson's performance in the two matches has not been impressive since he took only three wickets at an average of 78.66. The addition of Tongue brings additional experience having performed well against Australia in the Lord's Test in 2023. His performance saw him take five wickets, including the team's star player, Steve Smith.

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The choice to pick Tongue, a like-for-like fast bowler, over a specialist spinner in Shoaib Bashir shows a passion for pace bowling, despite a pitch that would favor spin towards the end. This selection shows a rebellious streak in 'Bazball.'

Batting Line-up Retained Despite Series Deficit

The England team management, under the guidance of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, chose not to make any radical amendments despite the desire to do so. The first seven batsmen will remain unchanged in this ‘do or die’ match.

Brendon McCullum, the head coach of England, said that, "We don't think knee-jerk reactions are really our way, although two heavy defeats were not exactly what we'd have liked in those two matches." Among England’s top-order batsmen, only Joe Root is averaging over 30. McCullum feels that England’s style of play would suit the Adelaide Oval environment better.

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Retaining a poor top order can be attributed to a dogged commitment to existing players rather than addressing existing weaknesses in form. A collective improvement is expected rather than adding a new face to this limited selection to bat.