Ashes 2025-26: Jack And Potts In, Woakes Out, Brook’s Vice Captain In ENG Squard

With new selection calls and leadership changes generating headlines, England's preparations for their next trip abroad have taken an interesting turn. 

Issues over England's balance between youth and experience have been sparked by the selectors' decision to include Matthew Potts and Jack (Rehan Ahmed/Jack Carson), two potential young players, while leaving out seasoned campaigner Chris Woakes. 

Harry Brook's appointment as vice-captain, which indicates a definite investment in the team's future leadership, has increased the excitement.

Fresh Faces, Bold Choices

With Australia and New Zealand tours coming up, Jack Leach's inclusion highlights England's desire to add to their spin-bowling options. He was an easy choice because of his recent domestic performances, which showed both control and attacking flair. 

 

In between, Mathew Potts keeps becoming more and more renowned as a dependable seamer who can exert pressure and extract movement in the middle overs. He now has another chance to play internationally because of his effort and consistency with Durham.

 

Woakes Left Out

Chris Woakes, a mainstay of England cricket for more than ten years, is strikingly absent. Woakes, who is well-known for his swing bowling and contributions to lower-order batting, has played a significant role in numerous important victories. 

However, his absence indicates that a transition phase is in progress, as the selectors are eager to manage workloads and refresh the squad. Whether this is a brief pause or the start of a phase-out process is still up in the air.

Brook’s Leadership Rise

Harry Brook's promotion to vice captain is probably the most talked-about topic. Being young in his international career, the Yorkshireman has already made a name for himself as one of England's most potent hitters. 

Both management and supporters have been pleased by his bold stroke play and his poise under pressure. In addition to giving him important leadership experience, selecting him as vice captain also suggests a long-term succession plan as England seeks to develop leaders beyond Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes.

England Squad 

Ashes 2025 in Australia

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.

 

England Tour Of New Zealand Series 2025

 

T20I Squad

Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood.

ODI Squad

Jofra Archer, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Jamie Smith replace Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, and Phil Salt from the T20I squad.