England announce playing 11 for Ashes 2025-26 2nd Test; Mumbai Indians star picked

England announced their playing 11 for the crucial second Ashes 2025-26 Test in Brisbane, starting December 4. The side drafted spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks into the 11 to replace the injured Mark Wood.

Wood played the series opener in Perth but went wicketless in 11 overs of bowling across the two innings. He was subsequently ruled out of the upcoming second Test with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Jacks has played only two Tests for England since debuting in the 2022 away series against Pakistan. Incidentally, both his Test appearances came in that series, and the 27-year-old hasn't represented England in the whites since.

The visitors suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the opening Test after being in a dominant position for much of the contest. England shut out the Aussies for only 132 in their first innings after scoring 172 themselves, capturing a valuable 40-run lead.

However, Ben Stokes' men capitulated in their second innings, managing only 164 and setting up a target of 205 for the hosts. A rampant Aussie unit knocked off the target with ease, losing only two wickets and in just 28.2 overs, thanks to a phenomenal 83-ball 123 by Travis Head.

England's Playing XI for the 2nd Ashes 2025-26 Test

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer

"He offers insurance with both bat and ball" - Michael Atherton on Will Jacks

Former England captain Michael Atherton urged the visitors to pick Will Jacks over a specialist spinner in Shoaib Bashir for the second Ashes Test. After going with an all-out pace attack in the series opener, England were expected to play a spinner with the injury to Wood.

Bashir has played 19 Tests for England, picking up 68 wickets, including four 5-wicket hauls, with his off-spin.

Yet, when talking about England's spin-bowling option for the second Ashes Test in his column for the Times, Atherton said (via ICC):

"There may still be periods where the bat dominates, which is why a spinner should remain under serious consideration. If so then who should it be? Shoaib Bashir or Will Jacks? England tend to stay loyal and Bashir was in the XII for Perth, but Jacks should come into consideration, as he offers insurance with both bat and ball."

He added:

"Jacks has played only two Tests and was a surprise inclusion for this Ashes tour, but he may well have been picked with this one match in mind. I would pick him over Bashir."

Jacks has struggled in his two Tests, averaging only 22.25 with the bat and almost 39 with the ball.