In a major blow to England, Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes due to a side strain, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Wednesday while announcing the playing XI for the fourth Test, which will be played in Melbourne from December 26.
Gus Atkinson, who missed the Adelaide Test, has come into the side in place of Archer. This is the second injury setback for England after Mark Wood was ruled out following the second Test.
After a limited workload in the second innings of the Adelaide Test, Archer was sent for a scan in Melbourne on Tuesday before being ruled out. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, England are not taking any risks with their premier all-format pacer. The Barbadian will return to the UK next week for further assessment.
There is another change to the playing XI, with Jacob Bethell replacing Ollie Pope. Bethell is most likely to bat at No. 3.
Pope has been dropped after a series of low scores. The former Test vice-captain is unlikely to take any further part in the series, having amassed only 125 runs in six innings, with 79 of those runs coming in the two-day Perth Test alone.
Another batter who has been struggling for form, Ben Duckett has managed to retain his place, with England having no specialist openers in reserve.
Will Jacks has retained his place, while Shoaib Bashir continues to remain on the sidelines.
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue
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