England has officially announced its 16-player squad for the Ashes 2025-26 series against Australia later this year, captained by Ben Stokes and hoping to end a long wait as the first England side to win an Ashes series on Australian soil since 2010-11.

The squad features several familiar names but also a pair of surprises. Stokes, Mark Wood, and Shoaib Bashir are fit again after injury, bolstering the batting and bowling departments in particular. The biggest change is Harry Brook being named vice-captain ahead of Ollie Pope. Pope stepped in as skipper in place of Stokes during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy when Stokes was injured, but has not retained the deputy position. Instead, he is likely to fight Jacob Bethell for the significant No. 3 batting position.

England announce strong 16-member squad for Ashes 2025-26

Will Jacks, the unexpected addition to the squad, is regarded as a smart tactical option, possibly in the role that Liam Dawson filled against India when Bashir was unavailable. That said, it also raises the question of whether England will be selective about Bashir, given the specialist spinning role in Australian conditions. 

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In terms of bowling, England is loaded with pace bowlers. Mark Wood returns to offer real pace, and alongside him are Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue. This body of pace attack seems to have performed well in the series against India, but importantly, they will have to adapt to the pitches of Australia. Matthew Potts, also a member of the squad, offers England more options in seamers.

Batting remains sound with Joe Root, Zak Crawley, and Ben Duckett as the nucleus of the top order, with Jamie Smith also an option as a keeper and batsman. Furthermore, with Ben Stokes at the helm, England will certainly be seeking to turn history on its head and retain the urn.

England squad for Ashes 2025-26:

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