Mark Wood, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali picked for England as they make three changes for third Ashes Test

England have made three changes to their team for the third Ashes Test against Australia. Ollie Pope has been ruled out for the rest of the summer, as he needs surgery after suffering a dislocated shoulder. He is one of the three changes, with seam bowlers Josh Tongue and James Anderson also making way.

Ad Moeen Ali is brought back into the line-up, having missed out of the second Test. CricketBlow for England as Pope ruled out of Ashes through injuryYESTERDAY AT 12:10 The spin bowler came out of Test retirement for the summer but made little impact on his return in the first match at Edgbaston and also suffered from a blistered finger. Mark Wood — who said he was not fit enough to play in the Lord’s fixture — returns for his first Test since December’s tour of Pakistan.

It will be his first competitive cricket since April when he represented the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. Chris Woakes is the third replacement as he prepares to play his first home Test match since September 2021. With Pope missing, Harry Brook will rise up the batting order to number three.

Speaking about the changes, captain Ben Stokes said: «We are devastated for Popey [Ollie Pope]. He's been a huge part of what we have achieved for the past 18 months.» «Dan [Lawrence] was in the squad as the next batter in but there were a few more things to consider about the team. The last week took a bit out of me a little bit and something I had to think of was what would be the best team to win this game if I didn't bowl a ball? It doesn't mean I am not going to bowl but that was a huge part of my thinking.» Stokes had no hesitation to move Brook up the order.