England Announces Ashes Squad: Jacks and Potts In, Woakes Misses Out; Brook Named Vice-Captain

England Announces Ashes Squad: Jacks and Potts In, Woakes Misses Out; Brook Named Vice-Captain

England have announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, with all-rounder Will Jacks and pacer Matthew Potts earning recalls. Ben Stokes, despite ongoing recovery from a shoulder injury, has been named captain, while Harry Brook has been appointed vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope.

Key Inclusions and Changes

Will Jacks returns after missing the recent white-ball series against New Zealand due to a finger injury, but is expected to be fully fit ahead of the Ashes. The Surrey all-rounder last played Test cricket in December 2022 against Pakistan. Meanwhile, Durham's Matthew Potts, who has taken 28 wickets in 10 County Championship matches this season, returns to the Test setup after last featuring in December 2024.

Mark Wood also makes a comeback after recovering from a left knee injury, and Shoaib Bashir has been included following his return from a finger injury sustained during the India series.

Notably missing from the squad is veteran all-rounder Chris Woakes, who suffered a dislocated shoulder during the Oval Test against India. Woakes had bravely batted with his arm in a sling on the final day of that Test. He is currently focusing on rehabilitation in a bid to avoid surgery and regain fitness.

England Ashes Squad

  • 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

The squad sees a blend of experienced campaigners like Joe Root and Stokes, alongside emerging talents such as Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell. Bashir is expected to lead the spin attack, with part-time support from Root, Bethell, and Jacks. Archer, who returned to red-ball cricket during the India series, will spearhead a pace unit that includes Wood, Atkinson, Carse, Tongue, and Potts.

White-Ball Tour of New Zealand

Before the Ashes, England will travel to New Zealand for a white-ball tour comprising three T20Is and three ODIs. Harry Brook, who has taken over leadership duties across limited-overs formats, will lead both squads. Notable changes include Zak Crawley receiving a maiden T20I call-up, while Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, and Jofra Archer will be rested for the T20Is.

Sam Curran and Liam Dawson return to the ODI setup, while Luke Wood is rewarded for consistent white-ball performances. Rehan Ahmed, Jacob Bethell, Sonny Baker, and Jamie Overton feature in both limited-overs squads. Saqib Mahmood misses the tour due to a minor knee surgery.

England ODI Squad (vs New Zealand)

  • Harry Brook (Captain)

  • Rehan Ahmed

  • Jofra Archer

  • Sonny Baker

  • Tom Banton

  • Jacob Bethell

  • Jos Buttler

  • Brydon Carse

  • Sam Curran

  • Liam Dawson

  • Ben Duckett

  • Jamie Overton

  • Adil Rashid

  • Joe Root

  • Jamie Smith

  • Luke Wood

England T20I Squad (vs New Zealand)

  • Harry Brook (Captain)

  • Rehan Ahmed

  • Sonny Baker

  • Tom Banton

  • Jacob Bethell

  • Jos Buttler

  • Brydon Carse

  • Jordan Cox

  • Zak Crawley

  • Sam Curran

  • Liam Dawson

  • Jamie Overton

  • Adil Rashid

  • Phil Salt

  • Luke Wood

Tour Schedule

  • New Zealand T20Is: Begin October 18 in Christchurch

  • ODI Series: Starts October 26 in Mount Maunganui

  • Final match: November 1

The Ashes squad will then assemble in Perth in the second week of November. The first Test is set to begin on November 21 at Optus Stadium, followed by matches in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Melbourne, before the series concludes at the SCG in early January.

An England Lions squad, which will shadow the main team with fixtures in Perth, Canberra, and Brisbane, is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.