Ashes squad announcement: Key talking points from Ben Stokes’ touring party

England have revealed their 16-man squad that will head Down Under this winter, hoping to put an end to the long-suffering history of Ashes tours and emulate the 3-1 triumph in 2010-11 which was also the last time an England side won a Test match in Australia.

An enthralling draw between the sides in 2023 on English soil has billed this as one of the most highly-anticipated series in recent memory as England and their associated Bazball philosophy aim to prove they are capable of beating the best.

For many, there is a genuine belief this is England’s best chance of defeating the Aussies on their own turf, though this is often closely met by a dose of realism around the challenge facing Ben Stokes’ side given previous experience.

Only four men have survived from the last Ashes tour four years ago – Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root and Mark Wood – whilst nearly half of the current squad have been named in the white-ball squads to tour New Zealand in the build-up to the first Test which gets underway on November 21.

We take a look at some of the key talking points that arose from Tuesday’s squad announcement.

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Will Jacks earns surprise wildcard call as spin deputy

Much of England’s squad picked itself with continuity in selection throughout the Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes era, though there was one decision to be made over who would be England’s second-choice spinner.

Despite Rehan Ahmed’s impressive domestic form and the decision to recall Liam Dawson for the fourth Test against India this summer, England sprung a surprise and opted to give powerful batting all-rounder Will Jacks the nod – a rather on-brand Bazball selection.

A regular in the white-ball setup, Jacks made two Test appearances against Pakistan in 2022 in which he claimed a six-wicket haul but has not featured since.

In the County Championship, the 26-year-old has only played on three occasions this campaign and claimed just five wickets at 38.80, though has previously been a more consistent feature for Surrey when he bowled over 264 overs three seasons ago.

His ‘part-time’ spin has been used to that effect across the duration of England’s white-ball summer, sending down 20 overs for three wickets and looking rather unconvincing in support of Adil Rashid, taking on the finisher role in place of the axed Liam Livingstone.

A fairly modest bowling record across all formats aside, Jacks does fit the profile of a tall spinner who can provide extra bounce on Australian pitches.

That may well have influenced the decision to leapfrog his competition, though it is undoubtedly a call with lengthening the batting line-up with more intent at the forefront should England decide it is unnecessary to play with a recognised spinner.

Shoaib Bashir entrusted as only frontline spinner

On the topic of the spin department, there were no surprises here to see Shoaib Bashir retained as England’s go-to man, returning to the squad at the first opportunity after injury ruled him out of the final two Test matches against India.

Bashir has been the main beneficiary of the loyalty shown by McCullum and Stokes, with many on the outside questioning his place in the side as he has regularly struggled to build pressure on the batters and stem the flow of runs – a weakness which could be exploited by the likes of Travis Head and Alex Carey in key matchups as two aggressive middle order left-handers.

The 21-year-old did become the youngest Englishman to register 50 Test wickets but at an uninspiring average of 39, whilst also continuing to be overlooked by his county Somerset behind the seemingly forgotten man Jack Leach – who has taken 50 wickets in Division One this year – which means he will arrive in Australia having not bowled competitively since claiming the final wicket of the dramatic Lord’s Test on July 14.

Leadership switch raises doubt around number three position

It was not just the list of names announced but also the news that Harry Brook will take over from Ollie Pope as the vice-captain, just months after the 26-year-old Yorkshireman was named as the new white ball captain to replace Jos Buttler.

The necessity of naming a vice-captain may be questionable to many, though for England, there is a very likely scenario in which their talismanic leader Ben Stokes will be unable to participate in all five Test matches – a dilemma potentially also facing Australia and Pat Cummins – particularly if he is to undertake the heavy workload in his role as an all-rounder which he did against India, resulting in a shoulder injury which forced him to miss the decisive final Test.

There was a notable difference in energy to England in the field on the five occasions Pope has stepped up to lead the side, whether that be finding innovative ways to prize a wicket or the wasteful use of the referral system, with Brook hugely impressing the hierarchy in the manner he has taken on the limited overs side.

Long-term successor

Whilst Brook was always the obvious long-term successor to Stokes and the decision based entirely on reflection of that, it does provide what seems the inevitable opportunity for a more seamless switch between Pope and golden boy Jacob Bethell at number three – the only position up for debate in an otherwise settled England batting unit.

The highly-regarded Surrey man has been consistently inconsistent on the international stage and whilst currently favourite to retain his place for the first Test, Bethell will have further chance to stake his claim in the upcoming white ball series against New Zealand after his maiden professional century earlier this month.

However, the decision not to include a more specialist wicketkeeper in Jordan Cox or James Rew means Pope will also be the back-up to Jamie Smith with the gloves.

Mark Wood returns to fiery pace attack

The most experienced of the bowling group, Stokes aside, Mark Wood has been deemed fit enough to be named as one of five 90mph+ quicks as England head to Australia with one of their most hostile attacks on record which is more than capable of causing the hosts considerable trouble, particularly in the early stages of the tour with a spicy Perth surface and pink-ball Gabba Test in wait.

Stage one for McCullum has been a success in actually being able to name all his speedsters two months out, though the all important next stage now is how they will shape up on arrival in Australia and managed throughout the duration of the series as there is a strong likelihood England will look to land an early blow by playing an additional seamer over Bashir.

Key role

Wood, 35, has not played a Test match since August 2024 and missed the entirety of the home summer after surgery on a knee injury sustained during the ICC Champions Trophy in February, with aims of returning in the latter stages of the County Championship not coming to fruition.

The Durham man played a key role in England’s revival during the 2023 Ashes – memories of his 95mph inswinging yorker to dismiss Usman Khawaja at Headingley spring to mind – and also has experience of an Ashes tour Down Under, with his career-best figures of 6-37 coming in a searing spell during the day-night Hobart Test defeat last time around.

Jofra Archer’s multi-format comeback in recent months has proved a timely reminder of the difference he makes to the side, with the anticipation to finally see the pair in tandem with the red ball again almost palpable but in Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue as well, England are not short of similar options to unleash should fitness allow.

Matthew Potts recalled as England opt for safe selection in Chris Woakes absence

In what we understand to only be a brief meeting to discuss the Ashes squad, Matthew Potts was selected to complete the assembled pace cartel.

His place on the plane looked in doubt after appearing to fall out-of-favour this year but the injury to Chris Woakes which appears to have spelled the end of his international career and Jamie Overton’s decision to step away from red ball cricket has opened the door once more.

Often the reserve seamer, Potts has a solid record in his 10 Test matches to date but has not had the most prolific of County Championship campaigns for Durham this year, with 28 wickets at a touch under 40.

Given the fitness concerns around England’s quicks, Potts may have an important role to play in the similar ilk to Australia’s Scott Boland who has enjoyed remarkable success on home conditions in recent years.

Though this will be his first taste of Ashes cricket, previous Test exposure made the 26-year-old the sensible choice as England refrained from the temptation to parachute in Hampshire prospect Sonny Baker or revisit Leicestershire left-armer Josh Hull as a point of difference to the attack.

Full England Squad for 2025-26 Ashes series

Ben Stokes (captain), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.

READ MORE: Will Jacks named in England’s Ashes squad with new vice-captain Harry Brook