England Unleashes Josh Tongue in Bold Ashes Shake-Up: Stokes' Must-Win Gambit

England's captain Ben Stokes has made a pivotal call for the third Ashes Test against Australia, bringing back fast bowler Josh Tongue in place of struggling seamer Gus Atkinson as the series hangs in the balance.

The match, set to commence today at Adelaide Oval, sees England trailing 0-2 after defeats in Perth and Brisbane. Tongue, a right-arm quick with an impressive record of 31 wickets in just six Tests at an average of 30, replaces Atkinson who managed only three wickets across the first two games at an average of 78.66[1][2][4].

Stokes justified the selection by praising Tongue's 'natural wicket-taking ability' and the fresh angles he brings from the crease. 'We feel that what Tonguey possesses – in terms of the angles he creates at the crease and his natural wicket-taking ability – is something that is going to help us this week,' Stokes told reporters in Adelaide[1]. Tongue's strike rate stands at a remarkable 44.1, highlighting his capacity for game-breaking spells, even if he concedes more than four runs per over[1].

Atkinson, despite bowling 54 overs, has been deemed unlucky by Stokes, particularly with the new ball. 'Gus has bowled very well out here. He’s just been incredibly unlucky,' the skipper noted, acknowledging the challenges of a five-Test seamer's workload[1].

This like-for-like change keeps Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks as the spinner, with no recall for Shoaib Bashir. The full England XI reads: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, and Josh Tongue[2][4].

Tongue previously shone against Australia, claiming five wickets in his lone Test versus them at Lord's in 2023[4]. England head coach Brendon McCullum had hinted at his inclusion, citing his high pace, hard-hitting fuller lengths, and swing prowess[2]. A loss here would end England's hopes of reclaiming the Ashes.

In a somber note amid the cricket, both teams paid tribute to victims of Sunday's tragic Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney, where 15 lives were lost. England's statement expressed deep sadness and solidarity with the affected communities[2].