England Announce 16-Man Squad for Ashes 2025/26 – Harry Brook Named Vice-Captain

England have officially revealed their 16-man Test squad for the upcoming Ashes tour of Australia, set to take place this winter. The biggest headline from the announcement is the rise of Harry Brook, who has been appointed as the new vice-captain of the Test team. At just 26 years old, Brook is already the captain of England’s white-ball side, and now he will also take on a key leadership role in red-ball cricket, replacing Ollie Pope.

This move signals a major shift in England’s Test leadership structure. For over a year, Ollie Pope had been the deputy to Ben Stokes, even standing in as captain on five occasions in the past 14 months. However, Pope’s recent struggles with the bat at No. 3, combined with growing pressure over his position in the team, have pushed him out of the leadership role.

Brook’s promotion is not just a reward for his impressive performances and rising reputation, but also a precautionary step. England captain Ben Stokes is still racing against time to fully recover from a shoulder injury. If his rehabilitation suffers any setbacks, Brook may find himself leading the side in the Ashes—a huge responsibility for such a young cricketer.

Another surprise in the squad is the recall of Will Jacks. The all-rounder last featured in Test cricket during England’s tour of Pakistan in 2022. Despite playing only five first-class matches in the last two years, he has been picked as a reserve spinner behind Shoaib Bashir. His selection came at the expense of other strong contenders such as Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson, and Jack Leach. Jacks’ return shows England’s willingness to back versatile cricketers, even if their recent red-ball form has been limited.

The fast-bowling department also brings some talking points. Matthew Potts makes his return to the Test side, boosting the pace attack. Veteran Chris Woakes misses out due to injury, while Mark Wood, who struggled with a knee issue during the summer, has been declared fit and ready. Notably, Wood is the only seamer in the squad who has prior Ashes experience in Australia, which could prove valuable in the high-pressure series.

England’s 2025/26 Ashes Squad

• Ben Stokes – Captain
• Harry Brook – Vice-Captain
• Jamie Smith – Wicketkeeper
• Jofra Archer – Bowler
• Gus Atkinson – Bowler
• Shoaib Bashir – Bowler
• Jacob Bethell – All-rounder
• Brydon Carse – Bowling All-Rounder
• Zak Crawley – Batter
• Ben Duckett – Batter
• Will Jacks – All-rounder
• Ollie Pope – Batter
• Matthew Potts – Bowler
• Joe Root – Batter
• Josh Tongue – Bowler
• Mark Wood – Bowler

This Ashes series will be England’s first major Test assignment since their thrilling 2–2 draw against India at home earlier this year. Now, the stakes are even higher as they look to break a long-standing drought in Australia. England last won an Ashes series Down Under back in 2010–11, and since then, Australia has dominated home conditions.

Ashes 2025/26 Schedule

• 1st Test: November 21–25, 2025 – Perth
• 2nd Test: December 4–8, 2025 – Brisbane
• 3rd Test: December 17–21, 2025 – Adelaide
• 4th Test: December 25–29, 2025 – Melbourne
• 5th Test: January 3–7, 2026 – Sydney

With Stokes’ injury concerns, Pope’s uncertain role, and the inclusion of unexpected names like Jacks, the squad has already sparked debate among fans and experts. Head coach Brendon McCullum will be hoping that his adventurous and fearless brand of cricket, often referred to as “Bazball”, can finally deliver success in Australia.

The road ahead will not be easy. Australia remain a formidable opponent at home, with conditions that heavily favor their pace attack and experienced batting lineup. However, if England’s mix of youth, aggression, and bold selections pays off, this tour could mark a new chapter in their Test cricket journey.

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