England announce their 12 for first Ashes 2025-26 test in Perth; Mark Wood included, Josh Tongue dropped

The first test of the Ashes 2025-26 between Australia and England will be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth from November 21 onwards.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have unveiled their 12-man squad for the first test against Australia of the Ashes 2025-26 series. The first test will be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth, beginning on November 21.

England will be aiming to win their first Ashes series in Australia since Sir Andrew Strauss led them to a win in the 2010-11 series. Since then, England have been massacred by Australia at home, with them losing the last two Ashes down under by margins of 5-0 and 4-0.

On what is anticipated to be the quickest pitch of the series, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum still intend to unleash their fast bowlers.  

After recovering from a tight hamstring he suffered during last week’s warm-up game against the Lions, Mark Wood is considered healthy. Even though he is anticipated to make the final XI, England is delaying their decision to fully commit to their seamers.

Shoaib Bashir included in England’s 12-man squad for Perth test

Apart from Wood, England also included spinner Shoaib Bashir in their 12-man squad for the Perth test. It remains to be seen whether England go in with an all-pace attack with Joe Root as their spin option, or Bashir gets in the playing XI. This attack may include all four of Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Gus Atkinson.

The last time England fielded an XI without a specialist spinner in Australia was in the 1998 Boxing Day test. They also didn’t have a specialist spinner against India this year in the Oval Test, with Bashir out with a finger injury and Liam Dawson being dropped.

Meanwhile, Ollie Pope, the ex-England vice-captain, also found a place in the 12-man squad at the cost of Jacob Bethell. Pope firmed up his place after knocks of 100 and 90 in England’s warm-up game against England Lions at Lilac Hill.

England’s 12-man squad for Ashes opener

Ben Stokes (C), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (WK), Mark Wood

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