England Ashes 2025 squad: The countdown to the 2025 Ashes has officially begun, and England have signaled their intentions with a pace-heavy squad designed to challenge Australia in their own backyard. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed a 16-member squad on Tuesday, with Harry Brook replacing Ollie Pope as vice-captain, marking a significant leadership change.
This announcement comes alongside the naming of squads for the white-ball tour of New Zealand, which will serve as a prelude to the high-profile Ashes series later this year.
Fast Bowling the Core of England’s Strategy
England’s selectors have leaned heavily on raw pace for the tour, bringing together a fearsome battery of quicks capable of bowling consistently above 90mph. The squad includes:
- Mark Wood – England’s most experienced express pacer.
- Jofra Archer – returning to the Test fold after injury setbacks.
- Gus Atkinson – a rising talent who impressed in 2024.
- Brydon Carse – adding both pace and bounce.
- Josh Tongue – the tall seamer who can trouble batters with steep bounce.
Such an emphasis on high-velocity seamers suggests England are preparing to exploit the traditionally lively Australian pitches, where pace and hostility often prove decisive. This recalls the strategy of England’s 2010-11 Ashes-winning side, which relied on an aggressive pace unit to unsettle Australia.
Will Jacks Returns to the Test Arena
Another eye-catching inclusion is the recall of Will Jacks, the 26-year-old all-rounder who last played a Test match against Pakistan in 2022. Known for his aggressive batting and handy off-spin, Jacks has been chosen ahead of spinners Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson, and Jack Leach.
His selection reflects England’s continued preference for attacking all-rounders who can contribute in multiple departments—a hallmark of the “Bazball” era under coach Brendon McCullum. Jacks’ versatility could be particularly useful on Australian surfaces that often demand runs at pace and part-time spin support.
Leadership Shift: Brook Over Pope
Perhaps the most significant off-field storyline is the decision to appoint Harry Brook as Ben Stokes’ deputy, replacing Ollie Pope.
Brook, who already took over white-ball captaincy duties from Jos Buttler, is widely seen as a future leader across formats. His elevation in the Test side reinforces the ECB’s confidence in his temperament and tactical acumen.
For Pope, this represents a setback despite having led England five times in Stokes’ absence over the past few months. However, his place in the squad remains secure, with his batting form continuing to make him a vital cog in the top order.
England’s Test Squad for the Ashes 2025
- Ben Stokes (captain)
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- Shoaib Bashir
- Jacob Bethell
- Harry Brook (vice-captain)
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Will Jacks
- Ollie Pope
- Matthew Potts
- Joe Root
- Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)
- Josh Tongue
- Mark Wood
This lineup blends proven match-winners like Joe Root and Stokes with fresh talent such as Jacob Bethell and Jamie Smith, showing England’s intent to balance experience with youth.
White-Ball Preparations in New Zealand
Before heading to Australia, England will fine-tune their skills in New Zealand with both T20I and ODI series scheduled. The tour begins with three T20Is, followed by three ODIs—all day-night fixtures.
T20I Squad Highlights
- Harry Brook leads the side.
- Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, and Jordan Cox feature as fresh faces.
- Veterans like Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper) and Adil Rashid provide balance.
ODI Squad Highlights
- Joe Root returns to the 50-over format.
- Jofra Archer strengthens the pace attack.
- Jamie Smith is preferred over Jordan Cox as the wicketkeeper option.
Fixtures in New Zealand:
- T20Is: October 18, 20 (Christchurch) and October 23 (Auckland).
- ODIs: October 26 (Mount Maunganui), October 29 (Hamilton), and November 1 (Wellington).
This white-ball leg is expected to give fringe players valuable opportunities before the marquee Ashes series.
Ashes 2025: Full Schedule
- 1st Test: November 21–25, Perth
- 2nd Test: December 4–8, Brisbane (Day/Night)
- 3rd Test: December 17–21, Adelaide
- 4th Test: December 25–29, Melbourne (Boxing Day Test)
- 5th Test: January 3–7, Sydney
The inclusion of both Perth and Adelaide day-night Tests ensures swing-friendly conditions under lights, potentially giving England’s pace attack a golden opportunity to shine.
What This Means for England
England’s bold selection is a clear message—they want to fight fire with fire in Australia. Instead of over-relying on spin or defensive strategies, the squad is built around raw pace, depth in batting, and aggressive intent.
- Opportunities: Archer’s fitness and Wood’s experience could be game-changers.
- Risks: Leaving out multiple specialist spinners may backfire if pitches wear down.
- X-Factor: Brook’s leadership and Jacks’ all-round abilities could provide the spark.
If the plan works, this squad could replicate the historic 2010-11 triumph, when England last won an Ashes series down under.
Conclusion
England’s 2025 Ashes squad is a fascinating blend of youth, aggression, and high-speed bowling firepower. The choice to back fast men and elevate Harry Brook in leadership marks a bold new chapter for English cricket.
With Australia waiting on home soil and a white-ball warm-up tour in New Zealand beforehand, the stage is perfectly set for a thrilling Ashes showdown. For fans, it promises high drama, fierce rivalries, and possibly the dawn of a new era for the Three Lions.
