Fans took to Twitter to express their opinions about England’s playing XI for the crucial third Ashes Test at Headingley in Leeds, scheduled for Thursday, July 6.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced three changes to the team for this must-win Test. All-rounder Moeen Ali, who suffered a blistered finger during the first Test in Birmingham, made a comeback to the XI.
England pace bowlers Mark Wood and Chris Woakes were also included in the team. Vice-captain Ollie Pope was ruled out of the remaining Ashes matches due to a dislocated shoulder he sustained during the Lord’s game.
Additionally, James Anderson and Josh Tongue were given a rest for the third Test. Anderson has struggled to make an impact with the ball in the first two games, managing only three wickets at an average of 75.33 so far in the series.
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On his Ashes debut at Lord’s, Tongue impressed by taking five wickets in both innings. The Worcestershire fast bowler was particularly effective with his short deliveries in partnership with senior pacer Stuart Broad.
Twitter users expressed approval of Wood’s inclusion as a replacement for Anderson but were disappointed with the decision to leave out Tongue.
Here are some of their reactions:
#Ashes2023: Former #Australia's skipper #RickyPonting believes that England must keep #JoshTongue in the playing XI for 3rd Test at the expense of senior pacer #JimmyAnderson, who "looked like the most disappointing bowler" for hosts so far in the series. pic.twitter.com/0Lu9RI9bKV
— Cricket Fanatic (@CricketFanatik) July 4, 2023
What wrong #JoshTongue did ? Injured himself ??
Baffling from the beginning- going for Moeen Ali instead of young spinners who played in Pakistan.
— Anurag- राग विराग वीतराग (@iamanurag04) July 5, 2023
Oh no they dropping Josh Tongue for next test – he was their best bowler!!! https://t.co/k7VcujrpD2 #Ashes2023 #JoshTongue #Ashes #Ashes23
— Sydney Cafes (@sydneycafes) July 5, 2023
@englandcricket Some harsh decisions with the #Ashes on the line. While including @MAWood33 and @chriswoakes is good decision, but leaving out the best bowler in the Lord's Test #JoshTongue and king of swing @jimmy9 is a shocker. @jimmy9 would have loved to bowl at Headingley. https://t.co/XSMxDF8hcp
— Jaishankar Krishnan (@Jaikri_tweets) July 5, 2023
England rest Anderson, Tongue for third Ashes test, Moeen and Wood included
Read more: https://t.co/PsxrZ7KH7i#Ashes #JamesAnderson #JoshTongue pic.twitter.com/WxqWGgxvn1
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) July 5, 2023
How could they leave this guy out? He got many of Aust best batsmen out https://t.co/mEBNGNGXcd #Ashes2023 #JoshTongue
— Sydney Cafes (@sydneycafes) July 5, 2023
#Ashes23 #AUSvsENG #ENGvsAUS #JoshTongue should go for batting training..!
— Sukumar (@smiles9q9) July 2, 2023
@englandcricket Some harsh decisions with the #Ashes on the line. While including @MAWood33 and @chriswoakes is good decision, but leaving out the best bowler in the Lord's Test #JoshTongue and king of swing @jimmy9 is a shocker. @jimmy9 would have loved to bowl at Headingley. https://t.co/XSMxDF8hcp
— Jaishankar Krishnan (@Jaikri_tweets) July 5, 2023
Tough on #JoshTongue. Glad to see Wood back. Where is Foakes?
— judge and judy (@judgeandjudy23) July 5, 2023
England Under Pressure to Keep Ashes Hopes Alive
Despite their valiant fight in both games, England ended up losing. In Birmingham, they missed two wickets when Australia needed just 54 more runs for victory.
Ben Stokes’ spectacular knock of 155 off 214 balls went in vain as England were eventually bowled out for 327 in pursuit of a target of 371 at Lord’s.
To overturn the 2-0 deficit and regain the Ashes urn for the first time since 2015, the hosts must win all three remaining games in the series. On the other hand, Australia are on the verge of winning their first Ashes series in England since 2001.
In response to the pitch invasion by Just Stop Oil protestors on Day 1 and the controversy surrounding Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal on the final day, Yorkshire County Club has tightened security measures at Headingley.
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