England recall Josh Tongue for third Test but Shoaib Bashir omitted
Tongue replaces Gus Atkinson in Adelaide with England again preferring Will Jacks ahead of Bashir.
England have recalled Josh Tongue for their must-win Ashes Test in Adelaide, but spinner Shoaib Bashir has again been omitted.
Tongue’s return, replacing the out-of-sorts Gus Atkinson in the pace attack, is the only change from the side beaten by eight wickets at the Gabba to slip 2-0 behind.
That means Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks retains his place as the designated spinner, in what equates to a significant vote of no confidence in Bashir.
The 22-year-old has long been earmarked for a major role in this series but, after missing out on pacy pitches in Perth and Brisbane, he has failed to dislodge a player better known for his white-ball batting than his red-ball bowling.
Captain Ben Stokes had previously reassured Bashir that Jacks was a horses-for-course pick for the day/night second Test, explaining: “He knows if it was down to picking our best spinner, he’d have played. If it ever comes down to picking our number one spinner, selection would go the other way.”
That assessment has been stretched to breaking point after he was left out again on what is widely considered one of the best grounds for slow bowlers in the country.
Pitch curator Damian Hough appeared in front of the media on Monday and promised a surface that would offer turn, with Australia bringing their own first-choice Nathan Lyon back into the XI.
Speaking before England announced their team, Lyon said: “I would be surprised if their number one spinner isn’t playing, if I’m honest with you.”
Jacks gave a good account of himself in Brisbane, although a spectacular catch and some impressively resolute batting earned more praise than the 11-overs of part-time off-breaks he was handed.
Handing him what is sure to be an inflated role with the ball is a gamble England are now prepared to take.
Bashir has 68 victims in 19 Tests at an average of 39 and took the match-winning wicket against India while bowling with a broken little finger in his last appearance in July.
He has struggled badly for rhythm since landing in Australia. He bowled a total of 24 overs for 151 in the warm-up match at Lilac Hill last month, leaking runs at 6.3 an over as he bowled for both England and England Lions in the same game.
Released from the Test squad to face Australia A at Allan Border Field during the second Test, he returned nought for 115 against Australia A.
Atkinson has been dropped after managing just three wickets at 78.66, with Tongue returning to the line-up.
He was England’s top wicket-taker against India in the summer and took five in his only previous Ashes Test at Lord’s in 2023, when he dismissed Steve Smith in each innings.
