England made one change to their playing XI from the first Ashes Test in Perth, with spinning all-rounder Will Jacks replacing the injured Mark Wood. The second Test starts at The Gabba on Thursday, December
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Jacks was included in the squad announced on Tuesday and will play his first Test in three years, marking the only change as England moved away from the all-pace attack used in their first Test defeat in Perth.
The 27-year-old has mainly been used by England in white-ball cricket and was selected over Shoaib Bashir for the pink-ball match to strengthen England’s batting lineup.
Jacks has previously played in two Test matches for England and took a maiden five-wicket haul on debut against Pakistan in 2022.
England XI For 2nd Ashes 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
“Everyone knows what a brilliant cricketer he is,” England batsman and Jacks’ Surrey team-mate Ollie Pope told reporters.
“The way he’s grown over the last few years, we’ve seen his white-ball game really go forward. It’s a great opportunity for his red-ball, too.
“He’s obviously got that style of spin bowling where he can get some bounce and turn off the pitch, then everyone has seen the skills he’s got in the white-ball format.
“He can take on a really good attack.”
Others In The Team
Zak Crawley has retained his spot at the top of the England batting order despite picking up a pair in Perth, a decision that is consistent with the view of coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes that the tourists should stick to their guns.
Pope said, however, that England might have to soak up some pressure in the second test, a day-nighter that gets underway in Brisbane on Thursday.
“There’s different ways you can skin a cat if you want to be successful,” he added.
“It’s trying to make sure you’re putting the bowler under some pressure, but at the same time, trying to absorb it as much as you can when a bowler is in a good rhythm.
“We know Australia have a good record here, but at the same time, we saw West Indies went and turned them over last time, so we take that as a bit of a positive.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
