Rob Key Confirms Chris Woakes' Test Career Over, Names Harry Brook New England Vice-Captain
England men's director of cricket Rob Key has confirmed the end of Chris Woakes’ Test career, while also announcing Harry Brook as England's new vice-captain ahead of the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, replacing Ollie Pope.
Speaking a day after England unveiled their 16-man squad for the tour, Key acknowledged that Woakes — who suffered a serious shoulder injury during the final Test against India at The Oval in July — would not feature in future red-ball plans. Woakes, 36, is not centrally contracted beyond October and was left out of the Ashes squad despite his heroic performances in recent summers.
“Chris Woakes isn’t in our plans at the minute… at all,” Key said bluntly. “He was running out of time to be ready for the Ashes. Once you miss that, you’re looking at the next cycle, and with the chance of re-injury and his age, it’s time to move on.”
Woakes had revitalised his Test career under Ben Stokes, most notably during the 2023 Ashes at home, where he won Player of the Series after being recalled mid-way and taking 19 wickets. He also played all five matches in this summer’s Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India before his injury.
Brook Replaces Pope as Vice-Captain
The more surprising development was the decision to name Harry Brook as Stokes’ deputy for the Ashes. The move ends Ollie Pope’s two-year stint as vice-captain — a role in which he also captained England on five occasions, including the final Test against India this summer.
Key explained the switch by backing Brook as a natural leader with growing experience and the potential to lead England long-term.
“It’s pretty simple — we think Harry Brook is the best person for the job,” Key said. “He’s had more experience now in leadership roles and has really impressed us. This isn’t about undermining Pope; Harry is just the better leader and will be going forward.”
Brook has recently captained England in limited-overs matches, stepping in for Jos Buttler, and his composure and tactical awareness have stood out. His promotion suggests he’s the likely long-term successor to Ben Stokes as Test captain.
Key also clarified that Pope’s removal as vice-captain does not automatically signal a drop from the playing XI, despite growing pressure from Jacob Bethell, the 21-year-old prodigy who impressed in New Zealand and recently captained England’s T20I side in Ireland.
“Ollie Pope is still the man in possession at No.3,” said Key. “There’s no agenda here. Whether you’re vice-captain or not, if someone’s playing better and fits the conditions, they’ll get picked.”
Bethell Waiting in the Wings
The emergence of Jacob Bethell has sparked intense debate over England's No.3 slot. Though Bethell failed in his only Test appearance so far — under Pope’s captaincy — his performances across formats and his maturity as a young leader have caught the selectors’ attention. He will have more opportunities during England's white-ball tour of New Zealand in October.
Woakes Departs, Jacks Returns
Aside from Brook’s promotion and Woakes’ exclusion, the recall of Will Jacks was another headline from the Ashes squad announcement. The allrounder impressed during the domestic season and offers flexibility with both bat and ball.
With James Anderson already retired and Woakes out of the frame, the leadership burden — and expectations — now falls squarely on a younger core led by Stokes and Brook as England gear up for a high-stakes Ashes series starting 21 November in Perth.
England Ashes 2025 Tour Highlights:
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Chris Woakes unlikely to play Test cricket again, confirms Rob Key
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Harry Brook replaces Ollie Pope as Test vice-captain
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Pope remains in contention at No.3 despite Bethell pressure
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Will Jacks returns to Test squad
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First Ashes Test begins 21 November 2025 in Perth