England has unveiled its 16-man squad for the much-anticipated 2025/26 Ashes series in Australia, setting the stage for what many are calling the team's best chance to reclaim the urn Down Under since their historic 2010-11 triumph. The squad, announced by selectors on Tuesday, is a blend of seasoned campaigners, returning stars, and a few eyebrow-raising selections—all under the leadership of Ben Stokes, who, despite a recent shoulder injury, remains "on track" to captain the side in Perth on November 21.
The five-Test series, part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle, promises fireworks as England seeks to end its long drought in Australia. The tour kicks off at Perth Stadium, with subsequent matches in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, stretching into early January 2026. But before the Ashes, England will first embark on a white-ball tour of New Zealand, featuring three T20s and three ODIs, starting October 18.
The squad’s composition reflects both boldness and continuity. Notably, Harry Brook, who impressed as white-ball captain over the summer, has been promoted to vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope. Brook's elevation has sparked fresh debate about Pope's place at number three, with Jacob Bethell—who recently notched his maiden professional century in a one-day international against South Africa—waiting in the wings. According to England head coach Brendon McCullum, Brook is "an emerging leader within English cricket," and many see him as Stokes’ likely successor in the long run.
One of the biggest surprises is the recall of Will Jacks as back-up spinner. Jacks, who played his only two Tests in Pakistan nearly three years ago, leapfrogs the likes of Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson, and Jack Leach to provide cover for Shoaib Bashir. While Jacks has taken just five wickets in 74.1 overs of first-class cricket this year and is recovering from a broken little finger, England’s selectors believe his height and off-spin could prove handy on Australian pitches. McCullum had previously hinted that the selection meeting would be "short," with only the identity of the second spinner up for debate. In the end, the faith shown in Bashir—England’s only full-time slow bowler in the squad—means Jacks, Bethell, and even Joe Root may need to step up if conditions or injuries demand it.
In the pace department, England is stacked but not without risks. Mark Wood, the fastest bowler in the squad, returns after missing the entire English summer with a knee injury. He joins Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and Matthew Potts in a formidable group. Archer, still only two Tests into his comeback following four years of fitness setbacks, and Wood, who hasn’t played a Test since August 2024, both carry injury concerns. Chris Woakes, who bravely batted with a dislocated shoulder against India, was not considered for fitness reasons, and Jamie Overton has paused his red-ball career after a string of injuries.
Stokes himself remains the heartbeat of the team, though his ability to bowl at full tilt is still in doubt. The all-rounder missed the final Test against India at the Oval, but England’s medical staff are optimistic about his participation in the Ashes opener. Stokes and Wood are the only bowlers in the squad with prior Ashes experience in Australia, adding further weight to their importance. England's selectors have shown remarkable loyalty to their core group, with McCullum and managing director Rob Key backing Bashir and others even when statistics might suggest otherwise. Bashir, for instance, has 68 wickets at 39 runs apiece in 19 Tests—a record that would see most spinners overlooked for an Ashes tour, but not this time. The message from the England camp is clear: belief in their chosen men trumps the numbers.
The batting order appears settled, at least for now. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett are set to open, with Joe Root lending his usual class at number four. Jamie Smith, the only specialist wicketkeeper in the squad, will have Pope as his backup should the need arise. With no specialist reserve opener or wicketkeeper, England is taking calculated gambles in both departments, perhaps relying on the flexibility of their all-rounders and the presence of a shadow Lions squad in Australia for emergency cover.
England's Ashes squad reads: 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, and Mark Wood. The squad’s makeup underscores England’s intent to attack with pace and bounce, a strategy they hope will finally pay dividends on Australian soil.
Before the Ashes, England’s tour of New Zealand will serve as both a proving ground and a warm-up. Brook will captain both the T20 and ODI squads, with several Ashes squad members—Bethell, Carse, and himself—taking part. The New Zealand matches run from October 18 to November 1, giving England just under three weeks to switch gears from white-ball to the red-ball challenge that awaits in Perth.
The Ashes schedule is as follows: 1st Test (Nov 21-25, Perth), 2nd Test (Dec 4-8, Brisbane), 3rd Test (Dec 17-21, Adelaide), 4th Test (Dec 25-29, Melbourne), and 5th Test (Jan 3-7, Sydney). Each venue presents its own unique challenge, from the seaming conditions in Perth to the spinning tracks of Sydney, and England will need every ounce of depth and resilience to succeed.
As the countdown begins, questions linger. Can Stokes stay fit for all five Tests? Will Bashir justify the selectors’ faith? Can Brook’s leadership elevate the team, and will Jacks seize his second chance at Test level? One thing’s for sure: England are backing their men to the hilt, and the stage is set for an Ashes series that could define a generation.
For now, all eyes turn to Perth, where the first ball of the series will be bowled on November 21. With a squad brimming with potential and a few calculated risks, England are daring to dream of Ashes glory once again.
