Reports: England likely to make four changes for third Ashes Test

Having lost the first two Tests of Ashes 2021-22, England will stand in a do-or-die game against Australia in the third clash. The Boxing Day Test gets underway on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Hardly anything went the visitors’ way in the preceding clashes. Hence, they are expected to make some significant changes in their line-up for the crucial game.

As per the developments, Zak Crawley is set to be inducted in the playing XI as openers Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed haven’t been able to do much so far. Neither of the two batters has been able to cross the 35-run mark in their respective four innings so far. Burns’ unorthodox technique has particularly come under the scanner.

Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow set to play the Boxing Day Test

As per a report in the Evening Standard, England are yet to decide which opener Crawley will replace at the MCG. Notably, Crawley, after a series of low scores, was dropped midway through the home series against India earlier this year. The youngster, however, is expected to do well as his height might help him tackle the bounce.

Ollie Pope is another batter who has faced criticism for his poor show. Jonny Bairstow will reportedly replace him in Melbourne. However, it remains to be seen whether Jos Buttler will also be dropped, allowing Bairstow the opportunity to keep wickets. After missing out the second Test, speedster Mark Wood looks set to return to the line-up. Spinner Jack Leach could also be named in the XI after he was dropped in Adelaide.

It must be noted that England skipper Joe Root seemed a disappointed man after his side’s 275-run defeat in the Pink-Ball Test in Adelaide. He even said the side is not learning from mistakes and is committing the same errors which were made in the 2017-18 series. He also blamed his bowlers for not living up to the expectations.

“When we look at the ball in hand, I don’t think we bowled the right lengths, we needed to bowl fuller. As soon as we did that in the second innings, we made it harder for them. It’s disappointing because we made the same mistakes that we made four years ago. We could have bowled better and should have batted better,” Root had said in the post-match presentation.