Will Jacks Steps In as England Adjusts Lineup for 2nd Ashes Test

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced its squad for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, slated to begin at The Gabba on Thursday. Spinner and all-rounder Will Jacks is set to replace the injured pacer Mark Wood. Jacks, who previously played two Test matches for England and secured a five-wicket haul in his debut against Pakistan in 2022, will be stepping in for Wood, who is sidelined due to soreness in his left knee following the series opener in Perth. Australia leads the five-match series 1-0 after clinching victory in Perth by eight wickets in just two days.

Will Jacks’ inclusion is seen as a strategic move, and England is confident in his abilities with the red ball. Batter Ollie Pope praised Jacks, stating, “Everyone knows what a brilliant cricketer he is,” highlighting his growth and performance in white-ball cricket, and expressing optimism about his potential in the Test format. Jacks’ spin bowling could provide the bounce and turn needed against Australia’s strong lineup.

Despite a tough outing in Perth, Zak Crawley retains his position at the top of the batting order. This decision aligns with coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes’ strategy to remain consistent. Pope acknowledged that England might face pressure in the second Test but emphasized the importance of balancing aggression with patience. He noted, “There’s different ways you can skin a cat if you want to be successful,” and pointed to the recent success of other teams, like the West Indies, in Australia as a source of motivation.

England Playing XI:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer

Published on December 2, 2025.