Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia : England head coach Brendon McCullum has confirmed that the team will retain its current batting line-up for the third Ashes Test against Australia, dismissing calls for wholesale changes despite a disappointing start to the series.
England find themselves 2–0 down in the five-match series after heavy defeats in Perth and Brisbane, but McCullum made it clear that he will not make “knee-jerk reactions” to the batting order. “Knee-jerk reactions and chopping and changing settled batting line-ups is not really our way,” he said, backing his current top seven to deliver when it matters most.
Key batsmen, including Ollie Pope at No. 3, will keep their places despite struggling for runs in the opening Tests. McCullum stressed that, while England have not scored enough runs thus far, sticking with a consistent unit offers the best chance of success on Adelaide’s batting-friendly surface.
The coach also brushed off speculation about his own future amid mounting scrutiny. “I certainly don’t coach to protect the job. I coach to get the best out of people, and that won’t be changing this week just because the prize is at its highest,” he added, underlining his confidence in both his squad and his approach.
With England still needing victory to keep their Ashes hopes alive, McCullum’s commitment to continuity reflects a belief that cohesion and conviction can turn the momentum in Adelaide — even as pressure mounts on the touring side.
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