Brook appointed vice-captain as England name Ashes squad as Mark Wood travels after missing entire home summer.
Harry Brook named as Ashes vice-captain as Jacks wins recall.
Jacob Bethell will be able to bat at No. 3 in the Ashes this winter as Harry Brook takes Ollie Pope’s place as England’s vice-captain. Brendon McCullum had mentioned Pope’s demotion earlier this month, and it was confirmed when England revealed their 16-man tour squad for Australia on Tuesday, which included Will Jacks as a surprise addition.
Pope, who most recently oversaw England’s six-run loss to India in the last Test of their series this summer, has replaced Ben Stokes five times in the last 14 months. After his form declined and he found himself under increasing strain, especially after Bethell’s previous white-ball success, he concluded that series with an average of 34, despite having started it with a century at Headingley.
After replacing Jos Buttler as England’s limited-overs captain earlier this season, Brook was promoted. Given the ongoing doubts over Stokes’ fitness, his position as vice-captain is more crucial than usual. After hurting his shoulder bowling against India, Stokes “remains on track” to be available for the first Ashes Test on November 21.
The biggest surprise is Jacks’ comeback, which came almost three years after he played his two Test matches in Pakistan. As Shoaib Bashir’s backup spinner, he was selected before Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson, and Jack Leach.
Chris Woakes was not taken into consideration after dislocating his shoulder during the Oval Test, and Matthew Potts, a seamer from Durham, is remembered as the sixth frontline quick. Despite not being included in any of England’s teams during the India series, Potts—who last played a Test match in New Zealand towards the end of last year—benefited from Jamie Overton’s decision to put his first-class career on hold.
After missing the home summer due to a knee injury, Mark Wood, who hasn’t played since the Champions Trophy, has been included in the squad. With Potts, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue all heading out on their first Ashes tours, he is the only one of England’s six seamers to have previously played in a Test match in Australia.