England's cricket selectors have announced their squad for the highly anticipated Ashes series against Australia. In a surprising move, they have demoted Ollie Pope from vice-captain, a role he held until the India series, and promoted Harry Brook to the position. With Pope's demotion, the team has opened the door for Jacob Bethell to bat at number three.
Will Jacks is one of the surprise players to make the 16-member squad. Brook, who scored 481 runs in nine innings at an average of 53.44 against India, earned the Player of the Series award for England. Brook will tour Australia for the first time in his career, and he faces a major challenge with the added responsibility of vice-captaincy.
Jacks returns to the side after three years, with the selectors picking him ahead of Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson, and Jack Leach. Shoaib Bashir will serve as a reserve spinner. Jacks has only played two Test matches and has taken six wickets. He is expected to play a containing role with the ball and add batting depth to the lower order.
Woakes Sidelined, Potts Recalled
Chris Woakes dislocated his shoulder in the fifth Test against India, sidelining him from the squad. Meanwhile, Durham pacer Matthew Potts earned a call-up as the sixth frontline seamer. Mark Wood, who has not played any competitive cricket since the Champions Trophy, also returns to the line-up.
Jofra Archer will spearhead England's pace attack. Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, and Josh Tongue are likely to play major parts, while Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts are the likely reserve bowlers. England heads into the Ashes series with an inexperienced side, as most of the squad members will be flying to Australia for the first time.
England Ashes Squad 2025
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.
