🏏 England Announce Ashes 2025–26 Squad: Harry Brook Named Vice-Captain, Stokes Set to Return
🌍 England Gear Up for the Ashes 2025–26
The Ashes is more than just a cricket series — it’s the heartbeat of Test cricket. Whenever England and Australia face off in the five-match series, the cricketing world stops to watch. As the Ashes 2025–26 approaches, starting November 21 in Perth, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has officially unveiled its 16-member squad.
The headline? Harry Brook has been appointed England’s new vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope. The squad also sees the much-anticipated returns of Will Jacks, Mark Wood, and Shoaib Bashir, alongside updates on captain Ben Stokes’ recovery from a shoulder injury.
This announcement sets the stage for one of the most eagerly anticipated Ashes tours in years. Let’s dive deep into the squad, its strengths, challenges, player roles, and what this means for England’s chances Down Under.
🔥 England’s 16-Member Ashes 2025 Squad at a Glance
England Squad for Ashes 2025–26:
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- Shoaib Bashir
- Jacob Bethell
- Harry Brook (vc)
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Will Jacks
- Ollie Pope
- Matthew Potts
- Joe Root
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Josh Tongue
- Mark Wood
📌 Harry Brook Named Vice-Captain – A Generational Shift
The biggest talking point is Harry Brook’s appointment as vice-captain. At just 26, Brook has already played 30 Tests and established himself as one of England’s most reliable middle-order batters.
- Replacing Ollie Pope: Pope’s form dipped after his century in the opening Test of the India series. With an average of just 34 in the last cycle, the selectors have opted for a fresh leader in Brook.
- Why Brook? His fearless approach, maturity, and temperament make him a long-term leadership candidate.
- Impact on batting order: With Brook moving into a leadership role, Jacob Bethell may slot in at No.3, pushing Pope into a fight for his place.
Brook’s rise signals a new era of leadership in English cricket, one that blends Joe Root’s experience, Stokes’ grit, and Brook’s youthful energy.
📌 Ben Stokes’ Fitness Update – On Track for the Opener
No England Ashes preview is complete without talking about Ben Stokes.
- Shoulder Injury Concern: Stokes missed the final Test against India earlier this year due to a shoulder problem.
- ECB’s Statement: “Stokes continues his recovery… and remains on track to be available for the start of the Test series in November.”
- Why it matters: Stokes isn’t just the captain; he’s the heartbeat of England cricket. His aggressive mindset transformed England’s Test team into a fearless unit.
If fit, Stokes will walk into Perth as a game-changer, both with bat and ball.
📌 Big Returns – Jacks, Wood & Bashir
England’s squad also features three crucial comebacks.
🏏 Will Jacks – The Batting All-Rounder
- Last played a Test in December 2022 vs Pakistan.
- Offers middle-order depth and off-spin – vital in Australian conditions where an extra spin option can be handy.
- Could fill the role of a floating all-rounder depending on conditions.
🏏 Mark Wood – The Pace Enforcer
- Missed England’s home summer due to a knee injury.
- Known for his raw pace (regularly hitting 150+ kph), Wood is England’s best bet for unsettling Australian batters on fast pitches in Perth, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
- His return is a massive boost for Stokes’ bowling arsenal.
🏏 Shoaib Bashir – The Spin Hope
- Missed the India series due to a finger injury.
- Returns fit, bringing control and flight as a right-arm off-spinner.
- Could play a big role in Sydney (spin-friendly) and as a second option alongside Joe Root’s part-time spin.
📌 Key Players to Watch
Every Ashes squad has stars who can turn the tide. Here’s who England will rely on:
- Joe Root: England’s most experienced batter. His technique against Australia’s pace attack will decide England’s fortunes.
- Zak Crawley & Ben Duckett: The opening pair has been inconsistent. They must set solid foundations to avoid collapses.
- Jofra Archer: If fully fit, his bounce and pace will be lethal against Steve Smith, Labuschagne, and Travis Head.
- Jamie Smith (wk): The young wicketkeeper-batter replaces Jonny Bairstow. How he handles Australian conditions will be critical.
📌 England’s Probable Playing XI for 1st Test (Perth)
Based on form, conditions, and squad balance, here’s a likely XI:
- Zak Crawley (opener)
- Ben Duckett (opener)
- Jacob Bethell
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook (vc)
- Ben Stokes (c, all-rounder)
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Will Jacks
- Jofra Archer
- Mark Wood
- Shoaib Bashir
📌 Ashes 2025–26 Schedule – Dates & Venues
The Ashes 2025–26 will be played across five iconic venues:
- 1st Test: Nov 21–25 – Perth
- 2nd Test (D/N): Nov 29–Dec 3 – Brisbane
- 3rd Test: Dec 11–15 – Adelaide
- 4th Test (Boxing Day): Dec 26–30 – Melbourne
- 5th Test (New Year): Jan 4–8 – Sydney
📌 Challenges England Will Face in Australia
England have not won an Ashes series in Australia since 2010–11. Challenges include:
- Fast, bouncy pitches: Australia’s pace trio (Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood) thrives at home.
- Crowd pressure: Playing in front of hostile Australian crowds is mentally tough.
- Injury management: Stokes, Archer, and Wood have all struggled with fitness.
- Batting collapses: England’s top order often struggles against high pace and swing.
📌 England’s Strategy – Bazball or Balanced?
The “Bazball” approach (fearless, attacking cricket under Brendon McCullum) has worked wonders at home. But can it succeed in Australia?
- Pros: Keeps pressure on bowlers, disrupts length.
- Cons: Risky on fast Australian tracks where mistakes are punished.
England may need a hybrid strategy — aggressive but measured, mixing attack with discipline.
🏏 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
- Leadership Transition – Brook’s vice-captaincy hints at England grooming him as a future captain. If he performs well in Australia, this could mark a new leadership era beyond Stokes.
- Fitness Factor – England’s pace attack looks world-class on paper with Archer and Wood, but their history of injuries makes Stokes’ workload management critical.
- Bazball Under Fire – The Ashes in Australia is the ultimate test of “Bazball.” If England stick to ultra-aggression, collapses are likely. A hybrid approach may decide the series.
- Middle-Order Dependence – Root, Brook, and Stokes form England’s backbone. If one or two fail consistently, England may struggle to post competitive scores.
- Opportunity for Youngsters – Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell will be under the spotlight. Strong performances could fast-track them as long-term Test regulars.
📌 Expert Predictions & Expectations
- If Stokes is fit: England have a strong chance to push Australia hard.
- If Wood & Archer fire: England could neutralize Australia’s top order.
- If batting collapses continue: It could be another one-sided series.
Most experts predict a closely fought Ashes, with Australia slight favorites due to home advantage.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is England’s new vice-captain for the Ashes 2025–26?
A: Harry Brook has been named vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope, marking a generational shift in England’s leadership.Q2. Will Ben Stokes play in the Ashes 2025–26?
A: Yes, according to the ECB, Ben Stokes is on track to recover from his shoulder injury and is expected to lead England in the first Test at Perth.Q3. Which players have returned to England’s Ashes squad?
A: Will Jacks, Mark Wood, and Shoaib Bashir have made comebacks, strengthening England’s batting depth, pace attack, and spin options.Q4. What is England’s biggest challenge in the Ashes?
A: England must overcome batting collapses and adapt their “Bazball” style to fast, bouncy Australian pitches against the world-class Aussie pace trio.
Q5. When does the Ashes 2025–26 series begin?
A: The series begins on November 21, 2025 in Perth, with the final Test in Sydney starting January 4, 2026.📌 Conclusion – A Defining Ashes for England
The England Ashes 2025–26 squad reflects both continuity and change. With Harry Brook stepping up as vice-captain, Stokes working his way back to full fitness, and the return of pace and spin reinforcements, England have built a team capable of challenging Australia.
Whether they can finally end their 14-year drought in Australia depends on how quickly the squad adapts, how well Stokes recovers, and whether England’s top order can handle the Aussie pace battery.
One thing is certain — from Perth to Sydney, this Ashes series promises unforgettable cricketing drama.