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

Interestingly, England have rested young speedster Josh Tongue for the third Ashes 2023 Test match against Australia being hosted at the Headingley in Leeds. It is now very important for hosts England to pick themselves up pretty quickly especially after that disappointing 43-run loss against Australia in the Lord’s Test match and they also suffered a heartening 2-wicket defeat in the first Test match. England are trailing 0-2 in the five-match Ashes 2023 Test series.

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

Hosts England once again named their confirmed playing XI on the eve of the ENG vs AUS Ashes 2023 3rd Test match where it was mentioned that youngster Josh Tongue has been rested. This seems to be a really surprising decision after Tongue bowled impressively well in just his second Test match for England and also picked up as many as five wickets in the game which included a 3-fer in the first innings. He has taken a total of 10 wickets from 2 Tests so far at an average of 25.7 that included a five-wicket haul on debut. England have brought variety in their bowling attack with the inclusion of both Mark Wood and Chris Woakes while off-spinner Moeen Ali also makes a comeback after recovering well from a finger injury.

“We are gonna have a bowl. We are happy going either way. It looks like a very good cricket wicket. Aiming to get something with the ball early on. The injury that happened to Popey and few thought processes which went into it – one of which was what team we go for if I don’t bowl. The position Brooky was in the squad last summer, he is a fantastic player and he always puts his chin up for any situation and the situation presented itself. Also we want to keep Rooty at 4. Mo is confident and we are confident. He is a match-winner and on his day he can turn the game in our favor. It’s an amazing place to play cricket, especially the Western Terrace, we love playing here and the Yorkshire faithful love watching Jonny and Rooty,” said England captain Ben Stokes during the toss.

England 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.