England announces Ashes 2025-26 squad; Harry Brook named vice-captain

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a strong 16-member squad for the much-awaited upcoming Ashes 2025-26 series, which is set to begin on November 21 at Optus Stadium in Perth.

While Ben Stokes will continue to be the captain of the 16-member squad, the explosive middle-order batter Harry Brook has been named as the vice-captain. Notably, this series will be a part of the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

Importantly, Stokes is continuing his recovery from a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, their star spinner Shoaib Bashir and pacer Mark Wood are back in the red-ball squad after recovering from their respective injuries. 

While Bashir was ruled out midway through the India Test series after sustaining a finger injury at Lord’s, Wood made his comeback to England's red-ball squad after recovering from a left knee injury.

ECB also announced its squads for the white-ball tour of New Zealand, starting on October 18 in Christchurch. 

England Test squad for The Ashes against Australia: 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, Mark Wood.

England ODI squad against New Zealand: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood.

England T20I squad against New Zealand: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood.

A look at the full schedule

England’s tour of New Zealand:

1st T20I: 18 October, Christchurch

2nd T20I: 20 October, Christchurch

3rd T20I: 23 October, Auckland

1st ODI: 26 October, Mount Maunganui

2nd ODI: 29 October, Hamilton

3rd ODI: 1 November, Wellington

England’s tour of Australia:

1st Test: 21-25 November, Perth

2nd Test: 4-8 December, Brisbane

3rd Test: 17-21 December, Adelaide

4th Test: 25-29 December, Melbourne

5th Test: 3-7 January 2026, Sydney

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