England's Ashes 2025-26 squad: Mark Wood returns after injury layoff, Ben Stokes expected to be fit before opener

Captain Ben Stokes is expected to be fit before the first Ashes 2025-26 Test against Australia, as England announced their 16-member squad on Tuesday. Stokes, who sustained a shoulder injury that left him out of the fifth Test against India last month, is on his path to recovery. White-ball captain Harry Brook has been named as England's vice-captain for the Ashes tour, replacing Ollie Pope.

The first Test of the Ashes is in Perth from November 21. Wood returned to the squad following his recovery from a left knee injury, and Matthew Potts, who last featured at Test level in December against New Zealand, also made a comeback. Wood and Potts thus join the likes of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue in the pace department.

Shoaib Bashir has recovered from the finger injury sustained during the India series and is the only specialist spinner selected. Batting allrounder Will Jacks, who plays for England's limited-overs teams, was called up and could make his first appearance since December 2022 against Pakistan, likely as the backup spinner to Bashir.

Jacks will miss the white-ball tour of New Zealand — containing three T20Is and three ODIs — because of a broken finger, but England said he is expected to be fit in time for the Ashes. Meanwhile, Chris Woakes, who dislocated his shoulder on the final day of the fifth Test against India, wasn't considered on fitness grounds.

England's squad for Ashes 2025-26

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, Josh Tongue and Mark Wood.

Australia vs England Ashes 2025/26 full schedule