England announces strong Ashes 2025-26 squad; Harry Brook named Ben Stokes’ deputy

On Tuesday, September 23, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a strong 16-man squad for the forthcoming Ashes 2025-26 series, which is set to begin on November 21 in Perth.

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Importantly, Ben Stokes, the star all-rounder, will be the captain of the 16-member squad of the five-match Test series, while the explosive middle-order batter Harry Brook has been named as his deputy. This series will be a part of the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

It’s important to note that Stokes is continuing his recovery from a shoulder injury, which he sustained during the fourth Test against India in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. On the other hand, star spinner Shoaib Bashir and pacer Mark Wood are back in the red-ball squad.

Notably, Bashir was ruled out midway through the India Test series after sustaining a finger injury at Lord’s. On the other hand, Wood returns to England's red-ball squad after recovering from a left knee injury.

Having levelled the India Test series 2-2, this upcoming Ashes Test series will be England’s second assignment in the ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle.

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

It’s worth noting that the ECB also named their squads for the white-ball tour of New Zealand, starting on October 18 in Christchurch. The tour will feature three T20Is and as many ODIs. Harry Brook will lead both squads.

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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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