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England make three changes for third Ashes Test

England make three changes for third Ashes Test
© Reuters
England announce that they have made three changes for the third Ashes Test match against Australia, which begins at Headingley on Thursday.

England have made three changes for the third Ashes Test match, which begins at Headingley on Thursday.

On Sunday, Australia prevailed by 43 runs after a controversial encounter at Lord's, putting the Baggy Greens 2-0 up in the best-of-five series.

With the quick turnaround, England had always planned to make alterations to their starting XI, but the dislocated shoulder of Ollie Pope meant that Ben Stokes faced further tinkering with his lineup.

As well as Pope missing out, Josh Tongue and James Anderson have also dropped out of the side, with Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood being selected in their place.

Dan Lawrence had been expected to deputise for Pope, particularly after his recent 152 for Essex against Warwickshire in the County Championship, but Stokes has instead opted for extra bowling options.

Ben Stokes hits a six off the bowling of Australia's Josh Hazlewood on July 2, 2023© Reuters

In his pre-match press conference, the England captain said that he felt fatigued after his magnificent 155 at the weekend, suggesting that he may keep himself out of the seam attack.

Harry Brook will move into the number-three role vacated by Pope, with wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow being selected at five and Stokes remaining at six.

Moeen is in line to feature at seven and Woakes at eight, with Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson and Wood making up the remainder of the team.

While 40-year-old Anderson had been expected to miss out with the fourth Test at Old Trafford in mind, the omission of Tongue comes as a surprise after he contributed 3-98 and 2-53 on his first-ever Ashes appearance at Lord's.

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England looking frustrated after day three of the second Ashes Test on June 30, 2023.
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