England have left out spinner Shoaib Bashir for the third Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide, a must-win game if they want to keep their hopes of regaining the urn alive.
The only change from the side that lost the second Test in Brisbane is that Josh Tongue replaces Gus Atkinson. The biggest talking point, however, is the omission of the 22-year-old Bashir, even though spin is expected to be importantin Adelaide.
Instead, England have kept all-rounder Will Jacks, who played his first Test in three years in Brisbane. The decision, made by captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, is a major gamble in a Test where careers and reputations are on the line. It also raises questions about England’s long-term experiment with Bashir, who has been learning on the job in Test cricket.
Bashir did not play in the first two Tests due to Australian conditions, and Australia also left out their own spinner Nathan Lyon in Brisbane. However, Lyon returns in Adelaide, a ground where he has taken 63 Test wickets, more than any other bowler. With extreme heat forecast (up to 39C), spin could again play a key role.
England had backed Bashir as their frontline spinner, even though he is not Somerset’s first choice. His Somerset contract has expired, and he is yet to sign a new one. Stokes and McCullum believed Bashir’s high release point and bounce would suit Australia. Since his debut in India in 2024, Bashir has taken 68 wickets in 19 Tests at an average of 39, becoming England’s youngest bowler to reach 50 wickets.
However, Bashir has not played since breaking his finger against India in July. His last act for England was memorable, taking the winning wicket at Lord’s. Despite Stokes previously backing him as the main spinner, Bashir struggled on tour, taking 2-266 in two tour matches and looking short of rhythm in the nets.
England did not include another specialist spinner such as Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson or Jack Leach, meaning they will rely on Will Jacks, mainly a batter, who has just six first-class wickets this year.
England XI for the third Ashes Test v Australia:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.
Australia, meanwhile, welcome back Pat Cummins after his back injury, and Nathan Lyon continues his climb up the all-time Test wicket list, needing two wickets to pass Glenn McGrath.
On the England side, Harry Brook admitted he has not played well so far in the series. Apart from a 52 in Perth, he has struggled and described some of his dismissals as “shocking”, saying he needs to manage pressure better and choose his moments more wisely.
