ENG vs AUS Ashes 2023: Why is James Anderson Not Playing England vs Australia 3rd Test? Check ENG Playing XI

In a big breaking news development, hosts England are not playing senior pace bowler James Anderson in the third Test match of Ashes 2023 against Australia to be played at the Headingley in Leeds. England ended up conceding a dismal 43-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the second Test match and they also lost the opening game by 2 wickets in Birmingham. The Ben Stokes-led side are in desperate need to make a strong comeback and register their first victory in the Ashes 2023 five-match Test series where they are trailing 0-2.

ENG vs AUS Ashes 2023: Why is James Anderson Not Playing England vs Australia 3rd Test?

England have already announced their playing XI and the hosts have stated that senior pacer James Anderson has been rested for the ENG vs AUS Ashes 2023 3rd Test match. This big decision was very much on the cards after Anderson’s miserable form in the first two Test matches against Australia. On a pretty green Lord’s pitch with overcast weather conditions on Day 1, the 40-year-old fast bowler surprisingly went wicketless which has proved to be a major worry for the hosts as he has take just three wickets from 2 Tests at a dismal average of over 75. It is also being reported that the England team management wanted James Anderson to be fit for the fourth Test match against Australia to be played in Manchester that is his home ground.

In the absence of Anderson, England have brought in both pacers, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes in the playing 11.

ENG Playing XI

1. Ben Duckett
2. Zak Crawley
3. Harry Brook
4. Joe Root
5. Ben Stokes (C)
6. Jonny Bairstow (wk)
7. Moeen Ali
8. Chris Woakes
9. Stuart Broad
10. Ollie Robinson
11. Mark Wood

England squad for Third Test of Ashes 2023

Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Moeen Ali.