England selectors have dropped Gus Atkinson and brought in fellow right-arm quick Josh Tongue for the third Ashes Test, beginning on Wednesday.
Prior to England naming its XI for the Adelaide Test, which the tourists must win to remain a chance of winning the series, Harry Brook admitted he played some “shocking shots” in the first two games in Perth and Brisbane.
England’s No.5 also said the visitors talked little cricket during their highly scrutinised Noosa holiday between the second and third Tests, which he described as a “belting time”.
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Axing Atkinson for Tongue is the only change England has made for the Adelaide Test, with selectors keeping faith in first drop Ollie Pope despite his lean series and questionable shot selection.
Tongue has played six Tests for 31 wickets at an average of 30, including best figures of 5-66.
England captain Ben Stokes (left) consoles paceman Gus Atkinson in Perth. Getty
He took 0-48 from 16 overs in the match between the England Lions and a Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra before the third Test.
Tongue will form a bowling unit with Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Ben Stokes and Will Jacks.
Speaking at Adelaide Oval prior to England’s team being announced on Monday afternoon, Brook admitted he needed to tinker with his approach in the third Test.
The aggressive right-hander said Australia’s bowlers were “highly skilled” and commended their “execution”, but was critical of his batting after two Tests that yielded only 98 runs at an average of 24.50 per innings.
“They were shocking shots. I’d admit that every day of the week. Especially that one in Perth; that was nearly a bouncer and I tried to drive it. It was just bad batting,” Brook said.
Josh Tongue bowling in the Adelaide Oval nets on Monday. Getty
“The one in Brisbane I tried to hit for six, so that’s what I mean when I say I need to try to rein it in a little bit. I can almost take that and hit it for one and get down the other end, and whoever else is in with me at the other and can get on strike and keep trying to rotate.
“But I’ll be the first person to stand up and say they were bad shots. I don’t regret them, but if I was there again I’d try to play it slightly differently.”
In England’s first innings in Perth, Brook got into an awkward position facing Brendan Doggett, tried to dab the ball down leg and was caught behind.
In the visitors’ second innings, he tried driving Scott Boland on the up with virtually no footwork and was caught at first slip.
And in England’s first dig in Brisbane, he tried driving on the up to a Mitchell Starc ball wide outside off, again with almost no footwork, and was caught at second slip.
“Sometimes I’ve got to rein it in a little bit, learn when to absorb pressure a little bit more and then realise when the opportunity arises to put pressure back on them,” Brook said.
Ben Stokes (left) and Harry Brook at the visitors’ Monday training session. Getty
“I feel like I probably haven’t done that as well as I usually do in this series so far … I haven’t identified the situations well enough.”
England spent time unwinding in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast after losing by eight wickets at the Gabba.
“To be honest, we tried to stay away from cricket as much as possible [in Noosa],” Brook said.
“We just wanted to go there and have a good time, and we had a belting time. It probably came at the right time when we’re 2-0 down.
“Most people won’t think that, but to get away from the game and refresh as much as possible after a tough start to the series, hopefully that can help us leading into this game.”
England XI for third Test
1. Zak Crawley 2. Ben Duckett 3. Ollie Pope 4. Joe Root 5. Harry Brook 6. Ben Stokes (c) 7. Jamie Smith (wk) 8. Will Jacks 9. Brydon Carse 10. Jofra Archer 11. Josh Tongue