The anticipation is building as England finalizes its preparations for the much-awaited Ashes tour to Australia, set to kick off on November 21, 2025. The announcement of the 16-man squad has sparked lively discussion, not just about who made the cut, but also about the shifting dynamics within the team’s leadership and batting order. As always, the Ashes brings with it a blend of excitement, speculation, and a touch of nostalgia—especially as the possibility looms that Chris Woakes, a stalwart of English cricket, may have played his last Test for the national side.
Rob Key, England’s managing director, addressed the media earlier this week, providing clarity on some of the more debated decisions. Ollie Pope, who has been under pressure from the emerging Jacob Bethell, remains “the man in possession” of the coveted number three batting spot. Yet, Key was careful not to lock in the starting XI just yet, noting that, “We tend to leave the decisions as late as possible. We’ll find out what that XI will be probably two days before the first Test.”
The squad announcement was not without its surprises. One of the most notable changes was the promotion of Harry Brook to vice-captain, replacing Pope. Key was quick to quash any rumors suggesting this move was a prelude to dropping Pope in favor of Bethell. “There is not like an elaborate scheme where if we take the vice-captaincy off Ollie Pope, it makes him easier to drop,” Key stated. “It doesn’t matter if you are vice-captain or not. If we don’t feel you are the right person wherever you are batting – whether that’s an opener or No.5 – we’ll end up bringing in someone we think can do the job better.”
Brook’s elevation, according to Key, was based purely on merit and leadership experience. “We think now is the right time [to promote Brook]. It’s pretty simple, really,” Key explained. “We think he is the best person for the job. He has had more experience now in leadership and I think he deserves it. There are no other ulterior motives other than the fact that we think Harry Brook is the best person to be the best vice-captain.”
Amid these leadership changes, the battle for the number three spot remains alive. Pope, who made a century in the first innings of the opening Test against India in June, has struggled for consistency, passing fifty only once more in the subsequent four matches. Bethell, just 21, has been making a strong case for himself, recently notching his first professional century in a one-day international against South Africa. Key hinted that Bethell will continue to get opportunities in white-ball cricket before the Ashes, stating, “We know a fair amount about Ollie Pope, but Jacob Bethell will continue to get experience.”
On the bowling front, the squad reflects a clear strategy: pace is the order of the day. With Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Josh Tongue, and Gus Atkinson all capable of touching 90mph, England is clearly aiming to match Australia’s firepower on their own turf. Mark Wood, who has not played a Test since August 2024 due to elbow and knee injuries, is expected to be fit for the series opener. “His recovery is probably a little bit slower than we thought but we're always erring on the side of caution,” said Key. “The thing Woody always has going for him is he's never been someone that needs to play lots and lots of games to get into form. He's someone that can bowl in nets, bowl in middle practice, then all of a sudden he runs up and bowls 95mph.”
The selection of Will Jacks as the second spinner, ahead of Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, and Liam Dawson, raised some eyebrows. Jacks offers not only height and off-spin but also the ability to strengthen the lower order with the bat. “In what we have coming up, we think Jacks offers a lot of different options,” Key explained. Meanwhile, Rehan Ahmed will be part of the England Lions squad in Australia and could be called up if needed, ensuring England retains flexibility should conditions or injuries demand a change.
Perhaps the most poignant subplot is the absence of Chris Woakes, whose omission from the squad signals the likely end of a distinguished international career. Woakes, 36, suffered a dislocated shoulder during the final Test against India in July 2025. Despite his valiant effort—walking out to bat with his arm in a sling—he has not recovered in time for the Ashes. Key was candid about Woakes’s future: “He was running out of time to be ready for the start for the Ashes. And then once you get out of an Ashes series, you're often looking at the next cycle, so Chris Woakes isn't in our plans at the minute.”
Woakes leaves behind an impressive legacy: 62 Tests, 192 wickets, and 148 of those on home soil. While his record in Australia has been modest—16 wickets at an average of 51.68 in seven Tests—his contributions in England, both as a bowler and a lower-order batsman, have been significant. As Nick Miller noted in his analysis, “He has taken 148 of his 192 wickets in England, his style of bowling ideal for home conditions. He helped turn the last Ashes series around, after returning to the team for the third Test against Australia, his lower order batting was often crucial and, as much as anything else, he is a hugely popular figure with his teammates, and pretty much anyone who has ever met him.”
With Woakes out, the focus shifts to the fitness of captain Ben Stokes, who is recovering from a shoulder injury but showed promising form while bowling for Durham in a County Championship match against Yorkshire this week. Key expressed confidence in Stokes’s readiness, saying, “He won't have a lot of cricket before the Ashes series, but that didn't stop him against India. With the ball, it's certainly the best I've seen him bowl for a long time, if not ever, and that was without playing a lot of cricket going into the summer. I have no issues with Ben Stokes at all. He's generally the type of player that builds and everything he does gets himself ready for these big moments.”
Before the Ashes, England will sharpen their skills with three 50-over and three T20 matches in New Zealand—a final tune-up before the main event. The squad’s blend of youth and experience, coupled with a clear focus on speed and adaptability, sets the stage for a fascinating series. Will Pope hold onto his spot? Can Bethell force his way in? How will the new leadership dynamic play out?
One thing’s for sure: as England readies itself for another chapter in Ashes history, the questions swirling around selection, strategy, and leadership only add to the drama. Cricket fans everywhere will be watching closely as the action unfolds in Perth come November.
