Jimmy Anderson one of three England Ashes stars set to miss out at Headingley

England are reportedly set to make three changes for their must-win Ashes Test at Headingley against Australia, with Jimmy Anderson the most notable star expected to miss out. Ben Stokes’ side face a do-or-die scenario against their old foe having lost the first two Tests.

After going down by two wickets in a hugely dramatic opening Test at Edgbaston, England then succumbed to a 43-run defeat at Lord’s which ended in controversy following Jonny Bairstow’s divisive dismissal. It now means the hosts must win at Headingley, Old Trafford and Oval to regain the Ashes.

And Brendon McCullum and Stokes now face some big decisions in the bowling department ahead of Thursday’s third Test beginning with the Headingley pitch expected to be flat.

This represents conditions that wouldn’t favour England great Anderson’s swing and seam abilities, having struggled to find his full rythym so far in the opening two encounters in Birmingham and London. 

And according to the Daily Mail, Anderson is in line to sit out at Headingley as England look to pace to cause Australia’s batting line-up all sorts of problems. The report claims Dan Lawrence, Moeen Ali and Mark Wood are all poised to return to the England fold at Headingley.

Josh Tongue may miss out despite his fine debut at Lord’s where he claimed five wickets. England know they face a must-win Test match and the 25-year-old doesn’t quite have the speed of Wood, who is feeling fully fit enough to go.

Ollie Pope is also a big injury scare for the eagerly-anticipated Headingley Test, following a scan on his right shoulder on Monday. Lawrence would step in at No 3 in England’s batting order.

And finally, Moeen is poised to return after missing the second Test with a blister problem. It is currently unsure whether he’ll replace Tongue, Ollie Robinson or Stuart Broad – although the latter surely will keep his spot with Stokes and McCullum needing his reliability.

In good news for England’s hopes, they won’t have to deal with the threat of Australian spinner Nathan Lyon for the rest of the series following the calf injury he picked up at Lord’s.