England’s quest to reclaim the Ashes on Australian soil is officially underway, as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) unveiled a 16-man squad for the 2025-26 series. The group, announced on September 23, 2025, blends experience, raw pace, and a dash of youthful unpredictability, all in hopes of ending a winless run Down Under that stretches back to the 2010-11 triumph. The tour, beginning November 21 at Perth’s Optus Stadium, will see Ben Stokes return as captain following his recovery from a shoulder injury, with Harry Brook stepping up as vice-captain in place of Ollie Pope.
Stokes’ return is a major boost for England, both on the field and in the dressing room. The all-rounder, who missed the final Test against India earlier this year due to injury, remains on track to lead the side into battle. According to the ECB, “Test captain Ben Stokes continues his recovery from the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the final test against India ... and remains on track to be available for the start of the test series in November.” Stokes’ leadership will be critical, especially given his history in Australia—he is the only member of this squad with a Test century there, a memorable 120 at Perth in December 2013.
Joining Stokes in making a comeback from injury are fast bowler Mark Wood and spinner Shoaib Bashir. Wood, who underwent knee surgery following an injury in the Champions Trophy, will provide crucial pace, having previously claimed 17 wickets at 26.64 in the 2021-22 Ashes and 14 wickets at 20.21 in the 2023 series. Bashir, England’s sole frontline spinner, fractured his finger during the third Test against India at Lord’s in July but is expected to be fit for the Ashes after missing the white-ball tour of New Zealand. Bashir’s bounce and overspin, reminiscent of Nathan Lyon, have earned him 68 wickets in 19 matches, and the coaching staff’s faith in the 21-year-old is clear.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the squad is the return of Will Jacks. The Surrey all-rounder, who last featured in a red-ball squad in December 2022, has been recalled as cover for Bashir. The ECB clarified, “Jacks will miss the white-ball tour of New Zealand (starting in October) with a broken finger but is expected to be fit for the Ashes.” Jacks’ inclusion signals a calculated gamble by head coach Brendon McCullum, who had warned there would be few surprises in the selection. His six-wicket haul on debut against Pakistan in Rawalpindi showed his potential, but he has limited recent red-ball experience.
The squad’s backbone is its pace battery, a deliberate pivot to match the demands of Australian conditions. Alongside Wood, England have named Jofra Archer—whose return from long-term elbow and back injuries saw him clock 93.3 mph and snare nine wickets in two Tests against India—as well as Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Matthew Potts. McCullum and Stokes have loaded the squad with speed, hoping to exploit the lively pitches and the harder Kookaburra ball that have troubled English sides in the past. Atkinson, for instance, took a hat-trick against New Zealand in 2024 and boasts 63 wickets at 22.01, while Carse and Tongue both deliver at 90mph, the latter impressing with 19 wickets at 29.05 in India.
England’s recent record in Australia is, frankly, bleak. Since their 2010-11 series win, they have played 15 Tests Down Under, suffering 13 defeats and managing just two draws. The challenge is underscored by the numbers: since 2021, batting averages in Australia have dropped significantly, with openers averaging just 28 and overall averages falling from 32 to 26. Totals above 400 are rare, and the first 30-35 overs are particularly treacherous for batters due to the Kookaburra’s redesigned, harder seam.
This context explains the fierce competition for the No. 3 spot. Ollie Pope, once groomed as the heir apparent, averages a modest 15.7 against Australia and just 30.87 away from home. Enter Jacob Bethell, a 21-year-old left-handed all-rounder whose aggressive style fits the Bazball ethos. Bethell’s red-ball experience is limited, but he made waves with a 50 not out from 37 balls on Test debut in Christchurch and a blistering 110 off 82 balls in a one-day international against South Africa. His ability to absorb pressure and counterattack could be vital in a position that has become a revolving door for teams worldwide.
The top order will again feature Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who set a blistering pace in the 2023 home Ashes with opening stands at 4.72 runs per over. Both face the challenge of translating that aggression to Australian conditions, where discipline early and intent later will be key. Joe Root, England’s most prolific modern batsman, is also under the microscope. Despite a career average of 51.29, Root’s average in Australia sits at 35.68 with no centuries in 14 Tests there. However, he arrives in strong form, having amassed 537 runs at 67.12 against India this year, including three hundreds.
Harry Brook, now vice-captain, stands out with a Test average of 57.55 after 30 matches, racking up 10 hundreds and 13 fifties. His 186 in Wellington in 2023 was a masterclass in pressure batting, and his adaptability will be crucial on his first Ashes tour to Australia. Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, averaging 48.86 with two hundreds in 15 Tests, further strengthens the engine room alongside Brook, Stokes, and Root.
England’s approach under McCullum and Stokes—dubbed Bazball—has emphasized quick scoring, but the squad has shown it can adapt. At Lord’s against India, Root and Pope played out a 28-ball scoreless spell, a reminder that this team can dig in when conditions demand patience. The balance of attack and adaptability will be tested by Australia’s formidable bowling, led by Nathan Lyon, whose home average is 31.08.
With the Ashes schedule set—Perth (Nov 21-25), Brisbane (Dec 4-8, day/night), Adelaide (Dec 17-21), Melbourne (Dec 26-30), and Sydney (Jan 4-8, 2026)—England’s selectors have gambled on pace, resilience, and a few bold picks. The squad’s blend of old hands and fresh faces will be put to the test as they seek to end a decade-and-a-half of Australian dominance on home turf.
As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on Stokes’ fitness, Brook’s leadership, and whether this mix of speed, youth, and experience can finally break England’s Ashes drought Down Under. The countdown to Perth is on, and with it, the hope of rewriting a painful chapter in English cricket history.
