England name 16-man squad for 2025/26 Ashes; Harry Brook named vice-captain
England Men have announced a 16-player squad for the 2025/26 Ashes Series in Australia, with Harry Brook confirmed as vice-captain and Mark Wood returning to the Test setup after injury.
The squad, selected by the England Men’s panel, includes key recalls and fitness updates ahead of the first Test in Perth on 21 November 2025.
Brook replaces Ollie Pope as vice-captain
Yorkshire batter Harry Brook has been elevated to the role of vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope. Brook’s promotion reflects his growing stature in the England setup across formats.
Injury comebacks for Mark Wood and Shoaib Bashir
Mark Wood (Durham) returns after recovering from a left knee injury, bolstering England’s fast bowling unit for the tour. Shoaib Bashir (Somerset) is also back in contention after overcoming a finger injury sustained in the India series.
Notable inclusions: Potts and Jacks return
Matthew Potts (Durham) and Will Jacks (Surrey) both return to the Test fold. Potts last played in December 2024, while Jacks has not featured in Tests since December 2022. Jacks, recovering from a broken finger, will skip the white-ball tour of New Zealand but is expected to be fit for the Ashes.
Ben Stokes on track for Ashes opener
Test captain Ben Stokes continues his recovery from the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the final Test against India but is expected to be fit for the opening Ashes Test in November.
England Men’s Test squad for 2025/26 Ashes Series
- Ben Stokes (Durham) – Captain
- Harry Brook (Yorkshire) – Vice-Captain
- Jofra Archer (Sussex)
- Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
- Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)
- Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
- Brydon Carse (Durham)
- Zak Crawley (Kent)
- Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
- Will Jacks (Surrey)
- Ollie Pope (Surrey)
- Matthew Potts (Durham)
- Joe Root (Yorkshire)
- Jamie Smith (Surrey)
- Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)
- Mark Wood (Durham)
2025/26 Ashes Series schedule (UK times)
- 13–15 November: Warm-up vs England Lions – Perth (2am)
- 21–25 November: 1st Test vs Australia – Perth (2.30am)
- 29–30 November: vs Prime Minister’s XI – Canberra (3.40am)
- 4–8 December: 2nd Test vs Australia – Brisbane (3.40am)
- 17–21 December: 3rd Test vs Australia – Adelaide (Midnight)
- 25–30 December: 4th Test vs Australia – Melbourne (11.30pm)
- 3–8 January: 5th Test vs Australia – Sydney (11.30pm)
The Ashes series promises high drama as England seek to reclaim the urn on Australian soil. With a refreshed squad and key players returning to fitness, anticipation is building ahead of one of cricket’s most iconic rivalries.
