England’s Ashes Lineup: Rising Stars In, Veterans Out; Brook Promoted

Ben Stokes has been named England’s captain for the Ashes, even as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury, with the squad announced on Tuesday (September 23). Matthew Potts and Will Jacks are included in the 16-member squad. Jacks is expected to regain full fitness from a finger injury in time for the Ashes, after missing the preceding white-ball series against New Zealand.

Durham pacer Matthew Potts last played a Test against New Zealand in December 2024, while Surrey’s Will Jacks’ last appearance was against Pakistan in December 2022. Potts has taken 28 wickets in 10 County Championship games this season, with a best of 4 for 84. Jacks has scored 136 runs in three innings, with 119 in a single innings.

Harry Brook has been named the vice-captain for the Ashes, replacing Ollie Pope, and Mark Wood returns following recovery from a left knee injury. Shoaib Bashir, after a finger injury during the India series, is also included in the squad.

Alongside Stokes, the squad features seasoned players like Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope. Jamie Smith will be the wicketkeeper. Jofra Archer, who rejoined Test cricket during the India series, will spearhead the pace attack, joined by Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Wood, and Potts. Bashir is the lead spinner, with additional spin options being Root, Jacob Bethell, and Jacks.

Chris Woakes, who dislocated his shoulder during the Oval Test against India, is not selected for the Ashes. The 36-year-old batted with his left arm in a sling on the final day after the injury. He has opted for rehabilitation over surgery to get fit for the Ashes. “I plan to focus on rehab and strengthen it. Surgery isn’t preferred now but depending on the progress, it might be considered,” he told Sky Sports.

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, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood

Archer rested for T20I series

Before the Ashes, England heads to New Zealand for a tour featuring three T20Is and three ODIs. Brook, assigned leadership across limited-overs formats, will lead again. Duckett, Smith, and Archer will be rested for the T20I series, while Zak Crawley receives his first T20I call-up.

The ODI squad includes returns for Sam Curran and Liam Dawson, and Luke Wood, recognized for consistent white-ball form. Rehan Ahmed, Bethell, Sonny Baker, and Jamie Overton have been named in both limited-overs squads. Saqib Mahmood is absent due to minor knee surgery.

England ODI Squad: 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: 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

England will start their New Zealand tour with a T20I in Christchurch on October 18, then the ODI series in Mount Maunganui on October 26, wrapping up on November 1. The Ashes squad will convene in Perth in November’s second week, with the first Test at Optus Stadium starting November 21. The series will continue across Brisbane, Adelaide, and Melbourne and conclude at the SCG in early January.

The England Lions squad, which will tour parallel to the Ashes with matches in Perth, Canberra, and Brisbane, is expected to be named soon.