Follow UsAhead of their must-win clash at Headingley in Leeds starting July 6, England have announced their playing XI, with Mark Wood and Chris Woakes making their first appearance in this edition of the Ashes.
Along with the duo, Moeen Ali also returns to the playing side as the home team announces three changes for their must-win clash.
📋 We can confirm our XI for the third Ashes Test in Leeds...
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 5, 2023
Three changes from Lord's...
↩️ Ollie Pope
↩️ Josh Tongue
↩️ Jimmy Anderson
↪️ Moeen Ali
↪️ Mark Wood
↪️ Chris Woakes#EnglandCricket | #Ashes
James Anderson and Josh Tongue will make way for the two pacers, and Mooen Ali also returns to the playing XI after missing out in the second Test at Lord's Cricket Ground.
Harry Brook is slated to bat at number three in place of injured Ollie Pope, with Jonny Bairstow at number five, followed by Ben Stokes and Moeen at seven.
Wood is set to feature in his first Test after England's series against Pakistan in December. While he featured in some of the league matches for the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League, he has not recently played in the longer formats.
Woakes will play his first home Test since September 2021 and is a like-for-like replacement for Tongue. The 34-year-old is also more than handy with the bat and will help the home team score vital runs down the order.
England are two nil down in the five-match Tests and will set foot at Headingley facing a must-win situation to stay alive in the series.
England's XI for third Test:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes (Captain), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood