Ashes 2025-26: England name 12-man squad for Usman Khawaja's retirement Test
Khawaja will be playing his 88th and final Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed England's squad for the fifth Test of the Ashes 2025-26 against Australia. The 12-man squad has been named by the board, with Ben Stokes leading the charge in a game at the Sydney Cricket Ground where the visitors will be playing for pride and confidence. Jofra Archer is missing from the squad after being ruled ahead of the fourth match, while Matthew Potts has been added to the line-up.
Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell, who impressed with a 40 in the fourth innings of the Boxing Day Test where England chased down the target to get their first win of the series, has also retained his place and will most likely take the field from January 4 in the New Year's Test in Sydney. Ollie Pope, however, has remained to be on the sidelines for the fifth and final match of the series as well.
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.
Khawaja confirms he will retire after New Year's Test
Australia squad: Steven Smith, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Beau Webster, Cameron Green, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Brendan Doggett, Josh Inglis
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