England's team for this winter's Ashes tour of Australia has been announced, and it has some huge surprises. Will Jacks' selection was a shock to many fans, and doubts surround the fitness of captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Mark Wood. The five-Test series commences on November 21 in Perth, and it looks like there is not much time for preparation. As is traditional under the Bazball regime, England will have only a single three-day warm-up fixture in Perth before the Ashes begin. That is in contrast to the winter of 2010-11, when the previous England team to beat Australia, captained by Andrew Strauss, contested three first-class fixtures before taking the series 3-1. Seven squad members will have no practice time before the Ashes this time, while the other eight will be on a white-ball tour of New Zealand earlier than the series. Head coach Brendon McCullum, however, is optimistic. He reminded that England have captured the first Test on each overseas tour during his tenure, despite short warm-up itineraries. England's Ashes 2025 Squad Sixteen players 🧢 Three Lions 🦁 One goal 👊 pic.twitter.com/uKhXSjj9NL — England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 23, 2025 Also Read | Glenn McGrath Predicts Thrilling Scoreline Outcome for Ashes 2025-26 Series Key Talking Points from England’s Squad Brook's Vice-Captaincy and Pope's Role England appointed Harry Brook as vice-captain, which leaves one questioning Ollie Pope's role. McCullum earlier indicated Pope and Jacob Bethell were contenders for the No. 3 position, with a decision to be made in Australia. What this move indicates is that if Stokes is not available for all five Tests, England would rather have Brook lead on the field than Pope. Pope is still in the consideration, but the team indicates Brook is the first choice to lead if Stokes is not available. Why Will Jacks Was Picked Jacks' addition is tied to Stokes' readiness. Stokes has been injured for portions of the previous four Test series, such as a tear in the muscle in his left shoulder that kept him out of the last Test of the summer against India at The Oval. Stokes is training again now, yet England cannot assure he will play as an all-rounder from the beginning or see out the entire series. By having Jacks ahead of Rehan Ahmed, England have more flexibility. If Stokes is missing from matches, they can remove spinner Shoaib Bashir, have four frontline seamers, and require someone to bat at No. 6 or 7 and bowl spin along with Joe Root. Jacks is a better fit for this role than Ahmed, as he offers an experienced cover option. Fitness Concerns Over Mark Wood and White-Ball Risks England's express Pace bowler Mark Wood is another concern. He made an impression in the 2023 home Ashes after arriving mid-series but has not played competitive cricket since February. England are hoping that he will acclimatize during the white-ball tour of New Zealand before meeting up with the Ashes party. McCullum and his staff will keep a close eye on Wood in the nets there. Also Read | Ashes 2025-26: Brisbane Set for Day-Night Test, Perth to Host Series Opener Risking Ashes Stars in White Ball Series Jofra Archer, Ben Duckett, and Jamie Smith will see minimal game time but will gain additional home days before travel to New Zealand. Brook, Root, Brydon Carse, Jacob Bethell are alsio the part of English side for NZ ODIs that will end 20-days before the opening day of the Ashes 2025-26 series. England feel that some match preparation is better than no preparation at all, although injury is always a possibility. Archer, for instance, may not feature in all three ODIs against New Zealand. Is This Squad Ready to Beat Australia? Regardless of preparation and fitness issues, England feel this team can win in Australia. The Aussies are not fit themselves, with skipper Pat Cummins likely to miss portions of the series. Australia's top order has also fared poorly, leaving them exposed. England's most important factors will be getting their core fast bowlers fit, having Stokes play most Tests, and hoping Joe Root gets big scores in Australia, where he is still searching for his first Ashes century. With only a single three-day warm-up match, there are questions how easily England will adjust, but McCullum's record instills optimism leading into the Ashes contest.