Ashes 2025-26: England name 12-man team for Usman Khawaja’s retirement Test

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced England’s squad for the fifth Test of the Ashes 2025-26 against Australia. The board has announced a 12-man squad, with Ben Stokes leading the charge at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where the visitors will play for pride and confidence. Jofra Archer is absent from the squad after being ruled out ahead of the fourth match, while Matthew Potts has been added to the lineup.

Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell, who impressed with a 40 in the fourth innings of the Boxing Day Test, where England chased down the target to win their first Test of the series, has also been retained and will most likely take the field on January 4 in the New Year’s Test in Sydney. Ollie Pope, on the other hand, will sit out the series’ fifth and final game.

Shoaib Bashir likely to play

Young off-spinner, Shoaib Bashir, who is yet to make a mark in the series, may finally get his chance for the series finale, as the conditions at the SCG are expected to be favourable for the spinner. Bashir had starred in England’s win in the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. If he is indeed named in the XI, Potts may have to warm the bench among the twelve men named in the Ben Stokes-led side.

England squad for the fifth Ashes Test

Ben Stokes (Captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (WK), Josh Tongue

Australia name theirs, too

England’s opponent and host Australia had already named their squad on Thursday. While Pat Cummins continues to be unavailable, the Aussies will once again be led by Steven Smith. The biggest headline of the match will be senior batter Usman Khawaja, who has announced that he will draw the curtains on his international career after the upcoming match, which will be his 88th and final Test.