You could almost hear the collective gasp across England’s cricketing circles when the 2025 England Ashes squad was announced. There it was in black and white. Ben Stokes still skipper, Harry Brook promoted to vice-captain, and nestled quietly among the big names… Will Jacks. Yes, that Will Jacks, the white-ball belter who hasn’t played a Test in nearly three years.

A Selection Stirring Up the Twitterverse

Let’s be honest, this squad dropped with more plot twists than an EastEnders Christmas special. For starters, Ollie Pope has been unceremoniously bumped from vice-captaincy, replaced by Harry Brook, who’s barely settled into his whites. Then there’s the absence of Chris Woakes, a seasoned Ashes campaigner left out due to ongoing fitness concerns.

Related Article：Ollie Pope in Trouble? Brook Tipped as New England Test Vice Captain

Sixteen players 🧢
Three Lions 🦁
One goal 👊 pic.twitter.com/uKhXSjj9NL

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 23, 2025

But the biggest eyebrow-raiser? The inclusion of Will Jacks over more seasoned England spinner options like Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson, or Jack Leach. It didn’t take long for the announcement to light up X (formerly Twitter), with everyone from armchair pundits to ex-players asking: What’s going on here?

Will Jacks’ Red-Ball Stats

So what exactly has Jacks done to earn this surprise ticket to Australia? Statistically speaking—well, it’s a mixed bag. He’s shown glimpses of brilliance, particularly with bat in hand, but his red-ball record doesn’t exactly scream “Ashes match-winner.” Here’s a quick look at his red-ball credentials:

Two Tests, one big haul in Rawalpindi, but not much since. When stacked against the likes of Jack Leach’s 142 Test wickets or even Rehan Ahmed’s promising start, Will Jacks seems like a curious choice for a second England spinner.

A Tactical Masterstroke or Just a Bit of a Punt?

So why did England go with Jacks for the 2025 England Ashes squad?

1. Bazball Batting Depth

England’s Test cricket revolution, aka “Bazball”, loves aggressive, multi-dimensional players. Jacks, known for clearing boundaries in the white-ball circuit, fits that template perfectly. Slotting him in beefs up the lower-middle order and gives license to the top five to go full throttle.

2. One Spinner Is (Probably) Enough Down Under

Let’s not forget the Aussie pitches. They’re built for bounce, pace, and bruises, not turn. The selectors likely reckon Shoaib Bashir can handle primary spin duties solo, meaning a part-time option like Will Jacks is enough to fill the gaps without overloading the XI with spinners.

3. Stokes Needs Backup

With Ben Stokes still nursing his shoulder, he’s unlikely to bowl much. That’s where Jacks’ off-spin becomes a handy utility. He won’t win matches with the ball alone, but he can bowl tidy spells to give the quicks a breather.

4. Height, Bounce & Overspin

At 6ft+, Jacks delivers with overspin, something England’s selectors believe might bite better on Aussie decks. It’s a bit of a niche theory, but hey, we’ve seen stranger ideas pay off.

Bold or Bonkers? Only Time Will Tell

There’s no doubt that selecting Will Jacks as a backup England spinner for the 2025 England Ashes squad is a bold call—maybe even a gamble. He hasn’t played red-ball cricket consistently this year, and let’s not ignore that finger injury he only just recovered from.

“A little bit surprised” 😳

Will Jacks on being selected for England’s Ashes tour of Australia 💭 pic.twitter.com/4wiaZthPrU

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 24, 2025

But England’s Test setup under Stokes and McCullum has never shied away from risk. They’ve chosen dynamism over conservatism, versatility over tradition. Whether this call pays off or backfires spectacularly will play out under the scorching Aussie sun over five brutal Tests. One thing’s for sure: Jacks has a golden chance to turn sceptics into believers. If he can balance those scales between batting fireworks and disciplined off-spin, he might just justify the faith.

Final Over Thoughts

So, is Will Jacks the missing puzzle piece in England’s Ashes masterplan, or just another experiment in the era of Bazball? Whatever the outcome, his inclusion in the England squad for the Ashes adds a layer of intrigue, a whisper of unpredictability. Stay tuned. This series is shaping up to be a spicy one.

2025 England Ashes Squad: Ben Stokes (C), Harry Brook (VC), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, and Mark Wood.