England cricket team They are reportedly set to make massive changes to their XI game for the third test of the ongoing 2023 Ashes series. The game will be played at the Headingley in Leeds between July 6 and 10.
Ben Stokes-led England have lost 0-2 at Ashes 2023 after losing back-to-back games. They lost the first match by 2 wickets after they failed to defend the Edgbaston target of 281 runs in Birmingham. Meanwhile, the Three Lions failed to chase down 371 runs in the second Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London and lost by 43 runs.
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Things got worse for Ben Stokes & Co. as they also lost Ollie Pope for the rest of the series. The star hitter has been ruled out of the Ashes season with a dislocated shoulder. He is ready to undergo surgery.
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According to The Telegraph, the England team management decided to promote Harry Brook to the number 3 position in the batting lineup to deal with Pope’s absence. Harry Brook usually hits at No.5, but now he’ll hit at Pope’s spot. The team’s management led by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes are not looking to include a suitable batsman in the playing XI in place of Ollie Pope.
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Instead, they have decided to call the all-rounder Moeen Ali to the team. Notably, Moeen Ali, who played the first Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham after coming out of retirement, missed the second Test due to a finger injury. The all-rounder is ready to hit at No.7.
England will replace James Anderson and Josh Tongue with Chris Woakes and Mark Wood
According to the same Telegram report, James Anderson and Josh Tongue will rest for the third test. Mark Wood and Chris Woakes are set to replace the aforementioned duo in the England XI.
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Anderson, 40, has been ineffective thus far in the main series. In the first two Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s, he posted bowling figures of 1/53 and 0/56 and 1/53 and 1/64. While the youngster Josh Tongue played only the second Test and came back with impressive figures of 3/98 and 2/53.
Many pundits have called for the inclusion of Mark Wood in England playing XI from the first Test as he brings the fast-paced X factor with him. Notably, Mark Wood missed the second test with a minor elbow injury.
The 33-year-old Quick will have to undergo a fitness test before the Headingley Test and is expected by team management to pass the test.
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England will probably play XI for the third test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (week), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson
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