England have made one change to their XI from the first Ashes Test in Perth, with spin all-rounder Will Jacks replacing the injured Mark Wood. Jacks has previously played two Test matches for England and famously
claimed a maiden five-wicket haul on debut against Pakistan in 2022. The second Test will begin at the Gabba on Thursday, December 4.
The 27-year-old has been selected ahead of fellow off-spinner Shoaib Bashir for the day-night match, partly because his batting ability provides England with additional depth at number eight. Jacks was a surprise inclusion in England’s Ashes squad and now has the chance to earn a third Test cap, despite focusing primarily on white-ball cricket in recent years. He has played only three first-class matches this year, taking five wickets across 74.1 overs.
Speaking of Mark Wood, the first Test in Perth marked his return to competitive cricket since February following knee surgery, and he has since experienced soreness in the same left knee. Wood bowled 11 overs in the two-day Test, and if England decide to rely on seam again, they have four alternatives in Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, and Ben Stokes.
While England can justify selecting Jacks for the all-round depth he provides in the unique day-night conditions, the omission remains a setback for Shoaib Bashir. This is the first time Bashir has been left out while fully fit since being elevated to England’s first-choice spinner at the start of the 2024 home summer.
The 22-year-old has not featured in competitive cricket since breaking his finger during the third Test against India in July. Notably, he took the final wicket in that match as England sealed a thrilling win at Lord’s. He struggled, however, in England’s only Ashes warm-up fixture against England Lions, returning figures of 2 for 145 from 24 overs.
Bashir was part of England’s 12-member squad for the opening Test, and before the game, head coach Brendon McCullum had stated that he expected the off-spinner to play a significant role in the series. But it is Jacks who now has the opportunity to cement his place in the XI, particularly if England can level the series with what would be their first victory at the Gabba since 1986.
England playing XI for second Ashes Test:
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.
