England Names Ashes 2025 Squad With Stokes, Archer and Wood Returning

Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and Mark Wood are back in England’s Ashes squad as they work on coming back from their injuries. The five-Test series will start in Australia this November. Chris Woakes, however, is not included as he is still recovering from a shoulder injury he got in the last Test against India at The Oval.

Stokes missed the fifth Test against India in August because of a shoulder injury, but he is expected to be ready for the first Test in Perth on Friday, November 21. Wood, who had surgery on his left knee, has been picked even though he missed England’s summer Tests. Archer is back in the team after making a successful return to Test cricket in the home series against India.

The selectors have named Harry Brook as the vice-captain taking over from Ollie Pope. Shoaib Bashir, who hurt his finger during the India series, has also been included. Matthew Potts and Will Jacks complete the 16-player squad. Jacks is expected to be fully fit in time for the Ashes after missing the recent white-ball series against New Zealand.

Veteran Bowler Woakes Opts for Rehab Over Surgery to Return Stronger

Potts, the Durham fast bowler, hasn’t played a Test since December 2024 against New Zealand, but he’s been in good form this season with 28 wickets in 10 County Championship games including a best of 4 for 84. Will Jacks from Surrey has also impressed, scoring 136 runs in just three innings with a big 119 in one of them. The squad mixes experience and talent with Stokes, Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope leading the way, while Jamie Smith keeps wickets. Archer will lead a strong pace attack alongside Carse, Atkinson, Tongue, Wood and Potts and Bashir takes the lead with spin supported by Root, Jacob Bethell and Jacks for extra options.

Woakes, who hurt his shoulder on the first day of the fifth Test against India, showed real courage by coming out to bat on the final day with his left arm in a sling. Even with his determination, the 36-year-old hasn’t been picked for the squad. He is focusing on rehab instead of surgery for now, hoping to come back stronger later. “I’m going to stay focused on the rehab and get it as strong as possible. Ideally, no surgery for now, but we’ll see how it goes and hopefully get it strong again,” he told Sky Sports.

England squad for Ashes 2025

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

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