The England Test squad is a prominent international cricket team, currently led by captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum. Their approach to Test cricket is characterized by an aggressive, entertaining, and at times audacious style, often referred to as “Bazball,” although the team itself does not use the term. This philosophy, implemented since McCullum and Stokes took over in 2022, has seen an improvement in results and the entrenchment of several key players in the side.
| PLAYER NAME | ROLE | STYLE | JERSEY NO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Stokes (Captain) | Allrounder | Batting: Left-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Fast medium | 55 |
| James Anderson | Bowler | Batting: Left-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Fast medium | 9 |
| Jonny Bairstow | Wicketkeeper | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Medium | 51 |
| Sam Billings | Wicketkeeper | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: – | 7 |
| Harry Brook | Batter | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Medium | 88 |
| Zak Crawley | Batter | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right-arm off-break | 56 |
| Ben Duckett | Wicketkeeper | Batting: Left-hand bat Bowling: Right-arm off-break | 17 |
| Ben Foakes | Wicketkeeper | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: – | 7 |
| Jack Leach | Bowler | Batting: Left-hand bat Bowling: Slow Left arm Orthodox | 17 |
| Ollie Pope | Wicketkeeper | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: – | 32 |
| Matthew Potts | Bowler | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Fast medium | 35 |
| Rehan Ahmed | Bowler | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Legbreak Googly | 53 |
| Ollie Robinson | Bowler | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Medium fast | 25 |
| Joe Root | Batter | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Offbreak, Legbreak | 66 |
| Mark Wood | Batter | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Fast | 33 |
| Gus Atkinson | Bowler | Batting: Right hand Bat Bowling: Right arm Fast medium | 37 |
| Tom Hartley | Bowler | Batting: Left hand Bat Bowling: Slow Left arm Orthodox | 79 |
| Shoaib Bashir | Bowler | Batting: Right hand Bat Bowling: Right arm Offbreak | 67 |
| Chris Woakes | Allrounder | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Medium fast | 19 |
| Josh Tongue | Bowler | Batting: Right-hand bat Bowling: Right arm Medium fast | 56 |
About England Test Squad
Captain – Ben Stokes
Head Coach – Brendon McCullum
Assistant Coach – Marcus Trescothick, Paul Collingwood, Jeetan Patel
History and Key Events
England’s Test team has a long and storied history, having played 1089 Test matches. A significant part of their history revolves around the Ashes series against Australia. While England is looking to regain the Ashes for the first time in 10 years, their record in Australia since their successful 2010/11 tour has been dismal, with 13 losses in 15 attempts and no Test wins. The 2023 home Ashes series against Australia was described as “very evenly matched,” with England on top for long periods despite ultimately drawing the series 2-2, allowing Australia to retain the urn. Previous tours to Australia in 2013, 2017, and 2021 were hampered by various issues, including team decline, lack of a settled side, and COVID-19 restrictions.
In 2025, England had a busy schedule that included a drawn 2-2 Test series at home against India. The year also featured a one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May, which England won by an innings and 45 runs. The team’s selection process, overseen by a panel including Stokes, McCullum, director of cricket Rob Key, and national selector Luke Wright (appointed November 2022), sometimes incorporates a “gut feel” approach, leading to debuts for players with limited first-class experience.
Looking ahead, England is preparing for the 2025/26 Ashes series in Australia, with the first Test scheduled for November 21 in Perth. Head coach Brendon McCullum is optimistic about the team’s prospects, emphasizing their unity and ability to handle pressure. For this challenging tour, the ECB appointed former New Zealand captain Tim Southee as a Specialist Skills Consultant until the end of the India Test series, to provide valuable insight given his vast experience.
Records and Achievements
• Matches: 1089
• Won: 403
• Lost: 330
• Tied: 0
• Win/Loss Ratio: 37.01
Key individual records for England in Test cricket include:
• Most Runs: Joe Root with 13,543 runs in 158 matches at an average of 51.29. Root is now second in the all-time Test run charts.
• Most Wickets: James Anderson with 704 wickets in 188 matches at an economy rate of 2.79.
• Best Individual Score: Sir Leonard Hutton with 364 runs.
• Best Bowling Figures: Jim Laker with 10/53.
Famous Players
• Ben Stokes (Captain): An all-rounder, leader, and often described as a “once in a generation” player, Stokes is crucial for England. He is progressing well from a shoulder injury and is anticipated to be fully fit for the Ashes.
• Joe Root: A batter, and England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer, his form is considered imperative for England’s success, especially as he seeks his first Test century in Australia.
• Harry Brook: An extraordinary batter known for his ability to score quick runs, he is expected to be a key player in his first Ashes series down under.
• Ben Duckett: An opener who has flourished since his reintegration into the Test side in 2022, averaging 45.09, and his consistency is highly valued.
• Zak Crawley: An opener whose inclusion is backed by the team despite recent inconsistencies, particularly given his strong performances against Australia in the past (averaging over 40) and suitability to pacey Australian pitches.
• Jamie Smith (Wicketkeeper): Has cemented his place as England’s trusted wicketkeeper, also contributing significantly with the bat, including a sublime 184 not out against India.
• Ollie Pope (Vice-captain): A batter whose place in the squad is generally guaranteed, though his average in Australia (11.16) is a concern that the coaching staff hopes he will overcome.
• Jofra Archer: A fast bowler whose fitness is paramount. He made an impressive return against India, claiming a five-fer at Lord’s, and is expected to be a game-changer if fit.
• Mark Wood: A fast bowler whose immense pace, exceeding 97mph in the 2023 Ashes, is crucial for terrifying opposition batters and winning matches. His fitness is carefully managed.
• Brydon Carse: A fast bowler who made a breakthrough in New Zealand, influencing with both ball and bat, and is considered a strong prospect with his upper 80mph bowling.
• Gus Atkinson: An emerging fast bowler who has taken 63 wickets at an average of 22.01 since his debut. He is highly rated and could be a leading wicket-taker in the Ashes.
• Shoaib Bashir: A right-arm off-spinner who has become the first-choice spinner for the Test team, with the coaching staff placing unwavering faith in him.