NEW DELHI: England have made three changes to their playing XI for the must-win third Ashes Test against Australia, starting Thursday, bringing in all-rounders Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and paceman Mark Wood.
England's all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson has been rested for the Headingley Test. Pacer Josh Tongue too was left out while vice-captain Ollie Pope was earlier ruled out for the remainder of the series with a dislocated shoulder.
With Pope not in the squad, Harry Brook will be promoted to number three.
Anderson's 688 wickets are the most taken by any fast bowler in Test history but the swing specialist has struggled in this series so far, with just three wickets at more than 75 apiece.
Moeen, earlier came out of retirement for the first Test but the spinner injured his finger, sitting out the second encounter at Lord's.
Wood was not picked for the first two Tests and England will welcome his fiery pace while Woakes's all-round ability will give the hosts depth in their batting lineup.
Tongue made his test debut against Ireland last month where he impressed with a five-wicket haul in the second innings and made his Ashes bow at Lord's, where he took five in two innings.
England XI for third Test
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Ben Stokes (capt), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad
(With inputs from Reuters)
