Cricket News | England name Ashes squad

England have named their squad for the upcoming Ashes series.

They have handed a surprise recall to Will Jacks as a back-up spinner for the Ashes, while Harry Brook has been promoted to vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope.

Author | Michael Haldsworth

Ben Stoke caught out at The Gabba in 2021 will hopefully return for the series

Will Jacks, who played two Tests in 2022, jumps ahead of Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson and Jack Leach to provide cover for Shoaib Bashir.

Brook’s promotion is notable and is likely to reignite the debate over Pope’s security at number three. Pope has served as Ben Stokes’ regular deputy, stepping in to lead England on five occasions, but Brook has impressed since taking on the white-ball captaincy at the start of the summer.

With Brook now Stokes’ deputy, Pope may face increased pressure from the rising talent of Jacob Bethell.

The Boxing Day Test in Melbourne 2021

In a 16-man squad, Mark Wood has been included in a strong pace-bowling unit despite not playing a Test since August 2024 due to elbow and knee injuries. Alongside Matthew Potts, Wood joins Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue in a group England believe can generate the pace and bounce needed to succeed in Australia.

Chris Woakes, who famously batted with a dislocated shoulder during the final day of England’s home series against India, has been left out on fitness grounds.

The pace attack will be supported by Stokes, who England hope can endure all five Tests down under. The 34-year-old all-rounder is still recovering from the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the final Test against India, but is expected to be ready for the Ashes opener in Perth on 21 November.

Reasons for the selectors' key decisions?

Under the leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, England have emphasised continuity in their Ashes selection. McCullum, the former New Zealand captain, indicated that the selection meeting would be brief, with only the identity of the second spinner undecided. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed had been considered the frontrunner, but Surrey’s Will Jacks has been preferred despite a modest haul of five wickets in 74.1 first-class overs this year. At 26, Jacks is primarily a batter, offering England flexibility, and his tall frame is thought to suit Australian conditions. He is recovering from a broken little finger, but will be fit for the series.

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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 24, 2025

Harry Brook has been named vice-captain, with McCullum describing him as an emerging leader within English cricket. While Brook is widely seen as a future Test captain, the immediate focus is on the number-three position. Ollie Pope, England’s long-term option in that role, faces competition from Ben Bethell, who impressed with a maiden international century against South Africa. Both players will have further opportunities in the white-ball series in New Zealand, and the warm-up match in Perth against a Lions side will offer further insight into the batting line-up.

England’s squad otherwise appears settled, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett opening alongside Joe Root, Brook and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. There is no specialist back-up for Smith, with Pope available if needed. Fitness will be crucial for England, particularly for Stokes, who has not completed a full Test series in the last four attempts due to injury. Jofra Archer and James Anderson are absent, while Mark Wood returns after a series of injuries, including elbow and knee setbacks. Wood’s experience in Australia will be vital, though he will be playing his first Test in 15 months.

The squad also includes Durham’s Matt Potts, who benefits from injuries to Chris Woakes and the red-ball retirement of Jamie Overton. Woakes has struggled with his shoulder, while Overton has limited recent first-class appearances and will be competing in the Big Bash. England begin their tour of New Zealand on 18 October with three T20s and three one-day internationals, featuring a mix of Test players and white-ball specialists. A Lions squad to shadow the senior group in Australia will be announced in due course.

England's Ashes squad in full

Ben Stokes (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (vice-captain), Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.