England announce playing XI for the third test against South Africa

England (Image Source: Twitter)

England has done well to come back in the second test against South Africa. Ahead of the third test that will start on Thursday (September 8), the Three Lions have announced the squad for the third test. Harry Brook has replaced injured Johnny Bairstow in the playing XI.

Let’s take a look at the playing XI:

Alex Lees (Durham)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Ben Stokes (c) (Durham)
Ben Foakes (w) (Surrey)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Jimmy Anderson (Lancashire)

It is a full-strength squad with Harry Brook, the Yorkshire youngster looking to cement a place going forward. Alex Lees and Zak Crawley are all set to take on the new ball against the fiery Proteas bowling attack.

Joe Root, who has had a poor outing so far, will look to make a strong comeback in the third test to be held at Oval. The match will begin on September 8 and will go on until Sunday (September 12). The skipper Ben Stokes will have to fire yet again on the back of the brilliant century.

England's stunning comeback

Before the match, the South African captain Dean Elgar opined that the Proteas team will tear apart England’s ‘Bazball’ approach. However, the England team came back harder at the Proteas and clinched the second test with a thumping win.

Ben Stokes single-handedly played a match-winning knock and provided England with a comeback. Now that the two teams will lock horns yet again after ten days, it will be crucial for them to find the touch, back. The Three Lions will leave no stone unturned to clinch the match on the back of Elgar's controversial comments. The Proteas, on the other end, will prove to tear apart the 'Bazball' claims with a series win.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad will be a threat for the South African batters as the former has become the leading pacer with most wickets (951). The third test will be no less than a cracker with two heavyweights trying to make a mark.