<P> Australia delayed naming its squad for the first two Tests until 17 November 2017, selecting Cameron Bancroft to replace Matthew Renshaw . Tim Paine returned to the team after a seven - year absence, ahead of Matthew Wade and Peter Nevill . Before the first Test, Glenn Maxwell was added to Australia's squad as cover for David Warner, who injured his neck at training . Mitchell Marsh was later added to Australia's squad ahead of the third Test, replacing Chadd Sayers . </P> <P> Australia's Mitchell Starc and England's Craig Overton were both ruled out of the fourth Test, with heel and rib injuries respectively . Maxwell was replaced by Ashton Agar for the fifth Test . England's Chris Woakes was ruled out of the fifth Test due to injury . </P> <P> The five venues were the Gabba, Adelaide Oval, the WACA Ground, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Sydney Cricket Ground . </P> <P> The WACA Ground was expected to host its final Test during the series, prior to the opening of the new Perth Stadium . However, it was said in November 2015 that construction of the new stadium was well ahead of schedule and the Perth Test could be hosted at the new venue . A decision on the venue was made in May 2017, with the WACA Ground confirmed as the venue, as the new stadium would not be ready in time . In December 2016, Cricket Australia (CA) were looking at hosting the first day / night Ashes match, with Adelaide being the likely venue . On 12 December 2016, it was confirmed that Adelaide Oval would host the first day / night Ashes Test . </P>

When does the third ashes test start 2017