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Will Jacks earns Ashes recall as England reshuffle for Gabba Test
England have named off-spinning all-rounder Will Jacks in their XI for the second Ashes Test against Australia at the Gabba, replacing injured fast bowler Mark Wood in the only change from the side defeated in Perth. The 27-year-old, who last played Test cricket in Pakistan in 2022, was selected ahead of specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir, with his batting ability at number eight offering England greater depth in the day-night fixture.
Australia's lineup shift: Khawaja out, Head to open
Australia will be without opener Usman Khawaja, who failed to recover from back spasms sustained in the first Test. His absence paves the way for Travis Head-fresh off a match-winning century in Perth-to continue at the top of the order. The hosts have not added a replacement to their squad, with Josh Inglis set to slot into the XI.
Meanwhile, captain Pat Cummins remains a potential wildcard after participating in training despite missing the first Test with a back injury. Teammate Scott Boland praised Cummins' form in the nets, stating,
"He looked in red-hot form the other night. It's as good as you'll see a fast bowler charging in. We know how good he is-he's the best bowler in the world. We want him out there as desperately as everyone else does."
Jacks' surprise inclusion: A batting boost with spin
Jacks, primarily a white-ball specialist with 60 limited-overs caps, was a surprise pick in England's Ashes squad. His selection ahead of Bashir-England's first-choice spinner since 2024-reflects a tactical shift, prioritizing batting depth in a format where the pink ball often favors seamers. Jacks' only prior Test appearances came in Pakistan in 2022, where he claimed six wickets on debut.
Surrey teammate Ollie Pope backed the decision, calling Jacks
"a brilliant cricketer" whose "white-ball game has really gone forward. It's a great opportunity for his red-ball [career] too. He's got that style of spin bowling where he can get bounce and turn, and everyone's seen his skills in white-ball cricket."
Despite his limited recent first-class experience-just three matches this year, yielding five wickets-Jacks' ability to "take on a really good attack" swayed selectors. England captain Ben Stokes noted Australia's use of off-spinner Nathan Lyon in day-night Tests, where Lyon's pink-ball stats (average, economy, and strike rate) outperform his red-ball returns.
"There's a tactical element," Stokes said. "How they use their spinner as an attacking option, or to get through overs quicker to have more time with the new ball under lights-there's both those elements to consider."
Bashir's omission and England's spin dilemma
The exclusion of 22-year-old Bashir marks the first time he has been left out while fit since becoming England's lead spinner in 2024. His last competitive outing-a broken finger during July's third Test against India-saw him claim the final wicket in a dramatic Lord's victory. However, a lackluster warm-up performance (2-145 from 24 overs) against England Lions may have cost him his spot.
Former England spinner Phil Tufnell downplayed the move as a "panicked" decision, arguing Jacks' batting at eight forces opponents to "go again" late in the innings. Yet he warned:
"The Australia batters will target his bowling. If they take him for four or five an over, England's tired fast bowlers will have to do more work."
With England winless in their last 16 Tests in Australia-including three day-night losses-Jacks' inclusion adds pressure to end the Gabba drought. Australia's sole floodlit Test defeat at the venue came in 2024, a shock loss to the West Indies.
Squads and match details
England XI: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.
Australia XI (probable): David Warner, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Mitch Marsh, Josh Inglis (wk), Pat Cummins (c)/Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood.
The second Test begins at 04:00 GMT on Thursday, with live coverage available on the BBC Sport website. England, who have never won a day-night Test at the Gabba, will seek to level the series after their heavy defeat in Perth.
