Ben Stokes to Captain England in 2025-26 Ashes Tour with Harry Brook as Vice-Captain

England's Squad Announced for Upcoming Ashes Tour

London [UK], September 23: Ben Stokes has been appointed to lead a 16-member squad for the 2025-26 Ashes series in Australia, with young talent Harry Brook stepping in as vice-captain, as confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday.

The ECB's announcement stated, “The England Men’s selection panel has finalized a 16-player squad for the 2025/26 Ashes tour of Australia. Harry Brook has been named as the vice-captain, taking over from Ollie Pope.”

Fast bowler Mark Wood, who last participated in a Test match in August 2024, makes his return after recovering from a knee injury. Spinner Shoaib Bashir is also back in the fold after healing from a finger injury sustained during the home series against India.

Included in the squad are Durham's Matthew Potts and Surrey's Will Jacks. Potts last played in December 2024 against New Zealand, while Jacks earned his latest Test cap in December 2022 against Pakistan. Although Jacks will miss the white-ball series in New Zealand due to a broken finger, he is expected to be fit for the Ashes.

Captain Ben Stokes is on the mend from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the final Test against India at The Oval, but he is on track to participate in the Ashes series starting November 21.

This Ashes series is pivotal for England, as it represents their opportunity to secure their first away Ashes victory since 2011 and their first overall since 2015. It will serve as a significant test for their 'Bazball' approach under the leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum in the challenging Australian conditions.

England's squad for the Ashes series against Australia includes: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, and Mark Wood.