England name squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2026, John Simpson appointed captain

England named a seven-member squad for the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 on October 22, with John Simpson confirmed as captain. The six-a-side tournament runs from October 30 to November 1 at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground, Hong Kong.

Simpson, who captains Sussex and keeps wicket, will lead England in Group A, where they face Australia and Hong Kong, China. England reached the semi-finals at the previous edition of the tournament in 2025, and the squad assembled for this year carries a blend of county captains, experienced all-rounders and a specialist pace option.

The seven-member group draws heavily from Sussex and Warwickshire, with Daniel Mousley being the only player who featured in the 2025 squad to retain his place for this edition.

What does John Simpson's record suggest about his suitability as captain?

Simpson has been among the more consistent county batters over the past two seasons. He accumulated 1,086 County Championship runs in 2025 and led Sussex to promotion in 2024, demonstrating both personal form and leadership credentials at county level. His familiarity with the Hong Kong Sixes format stretches back to 2017, when he was included in the MCC squad for the tournament, and at international level he made three ODI appearances for England against Pakistan in July 2021. Those combined experiences make him a considered choice to captain the side in a format that rewards decisive, aggressive cricket.

"England bring a rich cricketing heritage and some of the most capable all-round talent in the county game to the Hong Kong Sixes 2026. The tournament celebrates the excitement, entertainment and fast-paced nature of cricket, and a squad led by John Simpson promises to add to the spectacle. We look forward to welcoming the team and giving fans an unforgettable cricketing experience," Director of Commercial and Marketing, Cricket Hong Kong, China, Anuraag Bhatnagar said.

Which squad members carry the strongest recent form into the tournament?

Martin Andersson stands out on current numbers. The Derbyshire all-rounder claimed 6 for 23 against Leicestershire during the Vitality Blast in May 2026, a return that represents the best T20 bowling figures in Derbyshire's history. He was subsequently named PCA Player of the Month for May 2026, underlining his form heading into the tournament.

Mousley, a left-handed batter and off-spin bowler from Warwickshire, holds England ODI and T20I caps and brings direct experience of the Hong Kong Sixes having been part of the 2025 squad. Edward Barnard, who captains Warwickshire across all formats, was a member of the Worcestershire squad that lifted the T20 Blast title in 2018. Jack Carson, an off-spinner, captained Sussex in the One Day Cup 2026. Fynn Hudson-Prentice contributes seam bowling and batting depth from his Sussex role, while Nathan Gilchrist, a Zimbabwe-born right-arm quick, provides additional pace from his Warwickshire base. The tournament will be shown live in India on Sony Sports Network and FanCode.

England full squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2026

John Simpson (Captain), Edward Barnard, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Jack Carson, Martin Andersson, Daniel Mousley, Nathan Gilchrist.