Date: Starts Tuesday, Dec 16 (UK Night) / Wednesday, Dec 17 (Australia)
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Series Score: Australia lead 2-0
The Ashes is on the line. After dismal defeats in Perth and Brisbane, England arrive in Adelaide staring down the barrel of a series whitewash. With the urn potentially being decided this week, the 3rd Test represents the final roll of the dice for Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
Here is everything you need to know about the lineups, the pitch, and the key narratives defining this "make or break" encounter.
🏏 The Lineups: Tongue In, Bashir Out, Cummins Returns
England has named their XI early, sticking to their "no panic" philosophy despite the 2-0 deficit. The headline news is the continued omission of their specialist spinner.
England XI (Confirmed)
England has made just one change to the side that lost at the Gabba.
* IN: Josh Tongue. The Nottinghamshire quick brings extra pace and bounce, replacing Gus Atkinson who struggled for control in the first two matches.
* RETAINED: Will Jacks keeps his spot as the spin-bowling all-rounder, meaning specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir is left on the sidelines once again.
* THE TOP 7: Despite intense scrutiny, the batting order remains unchanged.
England XI:
* Zak Crawley
* Ben Duckett
* Ollie Pope
* Joe Root
* Harry Brook (vc)
* Ben Stokes (c)
* Jamie Smith (wk)
* Will Jacks
* Jofra Archer
* Brydon Carse
* Josh Tongue
Australia Team News (Probable)
Australia is set to be significantly stronger for this Test.
* Pat Cummins returns to captain the side after missing the 2nd Test.
* Nathan Lyon is expected to return to the fold on a ground where he has a formidable record, likely replacing Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser.
* Usman Khawaja has been declared fit, dampening England's hopes of facing an unsettled top order.
🏟️ The Pitch & Momentum: A Crucial Twist
Format Change: Unlike recent tours, this Adelaide Test is a Day match, not a Day/Night affair. This significantly alters the conditions—the swinging pink ball under lights is no longer a factor.
The Surface: The Adelaide Oval is traditionally a batting paradise for the first three days before taking spin late in the game.
* For the Batters: Expect true bounce and value for shots. This is the best batting surface of the series so far.
* For the Bowlers: Without the pink ball, England’s seamers will need to rely on reverse swing and pure pace (Archer/Tongue) rather than atmospheric assistance.
* The Spin Factor: The pitch is expected to turn as the game wears on. This highlights the risk in England’s decision to play Will Jacks over a specialist spinner.
Momentum:
It is all Australia. Having chased down a small total with ease in Brisbane, they have decimated England’s confidence. England isn't just fighting for the urn; they are fighting to prove "Bazball" can work against the world champions away from home.
🔮 What Now for Shoaib Bashir?
The most baffling subplot of this tour is the handling of Shoaib Bashir.
The "Project" Stalls:
Bashir was groomed specifically for this series. He was fast-tracked into the side 18 months ago because his high release point and natural drift were deemed perfect for Australian conditions. Yet, when presented with the turning tracks of Adelaide, England has snubbed him for a third consecutive time.
The Future:
* Crisis of Confidence: Being overlooked for a part-timer (Jacks) on a spin-friendly deck sends a damaging message to Bashir regarding the management's trust in him.
* The "Stokes" Role: It appears Ben Stokes prefers a batting-heavy lineup (with Jacks at 8) to lengthen the tail, sacrificing wicket-taking threat for run-scoring insurance.
* The Verdict: If Bashir cannot get a game in Adelaide, it is difficult to see him playing in Melbourne or Sydney. His tour could effectively be over before it started, raising serious questions about England's long-term spin strategy.
⚔️ Make or Break: The Batters Under Fire
The top order has fired in flashes but failed to build the match-winning totals required in Australia. For five men in particular, Adelaide is the ultimate test of character.
1. Zak Crawley & Ben Duckett (The Openers)
* The Issue: They have looked glorious for 30s and 40s but have gifted their wickets away just as they got on top.
* The Task: In Adelaide, a "quick 40" is not enough. The pitch demands a "Daddy Hundred." If they nick off loosely again after doing the hard work, the calls for a revamp will become deafening.
2. Ollie Pope (The No. 3)
* The Pressure: Pope is arguably under the most pressure of any English player. Averaging mid-20s in the series, his skittishness at the crease has exposed Joe Root to the new ball far too early.
* The Stakes: With Jacob Bethell waiting in the wings, another double failure here could see his spot stripped for the Boxing Day Test. He must find a way to absorb pressure, not just attack it.
3. Harry Brook (The Enforcer)
* The Reality Check: Brook admitted this week that his shots in Perth and Brisbane were "shocking" and "bad batting."
* The Adjustment: He has vowed to "rein it in," but can he? Brook is the future of this team, but he must prove he can temper his aggression with game awareness. This innings will show if he has the maturity to match his talent.
4. Jamie Smith (The Keeper)
* The Challenge: Smith has had a quiet tour with the bat. Coming in at No. 7, he often faces the second new ball or a rampant Mitchell Starc.
* The Need: England needs their Gilchrist-esque counter-attacker to fire. He has been tidy with the gloves, but his primary selection logic was his batting. He needs a signature innings to announce himself in Australia.
📅 How to Watch
UK: Tuesday Night / Wednesday Morning on TNT Sports / Discovery+
Australia: Wednesday Morning on Channel 7 / Fox Cricket
Would you like me to create a comparison table of the Head-to-Head stats at
the Adelaide Oval for the last 10 years to add to this preview?
0 comments