/betbarter/media/agency_attachments/3YXcMKaocLoKtpo5Mw2o.png)
/betbarter/media/post_banners/haQVh1Mbjgcf78ZvSGo5.jpg)
James Anderson (source: Twitter)
The starting lineup for the third Ashes Test, which begins on Thursday (July 6) at Headingley in Leeds, has been released by the England Cricket Team. Three adjustments have been made by the hosts since their 43-run defeat in the second game at Lord's.
At Headingley, Harry Brook is expected to bat at No. 3 because Ollie Pope, who dislocated his shoulder, will not be able to play in the Test. The final two Ashes Tests at Old Trafford as well as the Oval will also be missed by the right-hander as he was ruled out for the rest of the summer. Since making his international debut, Brook, who amassed fifty during the first innings at Lord's, has not batted after the first fall ever in international cricket.
The other two main changes in the playing XI
Mark Wood, Moeen Ali, with Chris Woakes have all rejoined the team while James Anderson as well as Josh Tongue were both rested for the third Test. Moeen played the first Test at Edgbaston, where he took three wickets, but was unable to play at Lord's due to a finger injury.
Woakes and Wood, meanwhile, were not present for the first two games. Wood hasn't featured in a Test since the final match of that tour, despite playing a crucial part in England's 3-0 victory over Pakistan last winter. With three fifers, the right-arm quick has 90 scalps across 28 Tests at a strike rate of 30.88.
Woakes, meanwhile, hasn't played in a Test since England's trip to the Caribbean in March 2022. In 45 Test matches, the right-arm seamer has 130 kills at a 30.73 average. In addition to being a useful lower-order batter, Woakes has a stellar home record, collecting 94 wickets in 25 games at a strike rate of 22.36.
A draw or an Australia victory would result in the visiting team keeping the Ashes, hence the matchup in Leeds is a must-win for the home team. At Headingley, Ben Stokes, as well as Pat Cummins, anticipate a boisterous crowd, especially in light of Australia's controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow.