THE ASHES 2021: Possible Changes for Aus vs Eng Third Ashes Test

England has rested Rory Burns and Ollie Pope for the third Ashes Test, while fast bowlers Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes have both been rested. Jonny Bairstow is expected to be a quick replacement for Pope, while Zak Crawley will fill Burns’ slot at the top of the order.

Changes in England side

Meanwhile, England has recalled fast bowler Mark Wood and spinner Jack Leach for the Boxing Day Test. England enters the match behind 0-2 in the five-match series, having suffered crushing defeats in Brisbane and the Adelaide pink-ball Test.

England also announced that Jos Buttler, who nearly drew his team a draw in Adelaide by deviating away from his usual aggressive style and bowling a 207-ball 26, will keep wickets, and Bairstow will play as a batsman.

Pre Match Press Conference for The Ashes Third Test

Buttler was optimistic on Saturday during a media conference on Christmas morning. He added, “We’re not here to merely participate and enable 70,000 people to celebrate another Australian victory.”

England’s Possible Playing XI

Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (captain), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson.

Unlike the changes in the England side, the hosts will also have specific changes.

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Changes in Australia’s side

Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain who missed the second test after being declared a proximal acquaintance in a COVID-19 instance, returns for the Ashes Boxing Day Test, which begins on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Meanwhile, fast bowler Scott Boland is poised to make his Test debut, taking the place of the injured Josh Hazlewood in the starting XI. The 32-year-old Boland, who plays his home cricket at the MCG, will be the first native Australian test player since Jason Gillespie’s farewell match in 2006.

Boland was added to the team on Monday to provide fast bowling cover for Josh Hazlewood, who was sidelined by a side injury and Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser, who was suffering from the after-effects of playing in the second test in Adelaide.

Press Conference

Cummins said, “Jhye and Nes were just a little uncomfortable after Adelaide, so we went with Scotty.” “It’s ostentation to have someone like him, who is fresh and ready to go.”

Possible Playing XI for Australia

Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon.

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