Win Projections to be updated soon
Brisbane, 2 December 2025:
Will Jacks will return to Test cricket for the first time in three years after England added the off-spinner to their lineup for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.
Jacks replaces injured fast bowler Mark Wood in the only change from the side thrashed in the series opener in Perth. The 27-year-old was picked ahead of fellow spinner Shoaib Bashir, with England valuing Jacks’ batting strength at No. 8 for the day-night match.
Australia, meanwhile, will be without opener Usman Khawaja, who has failed to recover from the back spasms he suffered during the first Test. His absence paves the way for Travis Head to continue at the top of the order after his match-winning hundred in Perth.
With no replacement added to the squad, Australia are expected to choose between batter Josh Inglis and all-rounder Beau Webster to fill the vacancy.
Jacks, considered a surprise inclusion in England’s Ashes squad, now has the chance to add to his two Test caps despite prioritizing white-ball cricket in recent seasons. He has made only three first-class appearances this year, taking five wickets across 74.1 overs.
“Everyone knows what a brilliant cricketer he is,” England batter and Surrey teammate Ollie Pope said.
“We’ve seen his white-ball game really develop, and this is a great opportunity for his red-ball cricket as well. He gets bounce and turn, and everyone knows how destructive he can be with the bat.”
Jacks, who has 60 limited-overs caps, took six wickets on debut against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2022.
While day-night Tests are often thought to favor fast bowlers, Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon has historically posted stronger numbers with the pink ball. England captain Ben Stokes said that adds an important “tactical element” to selection.
“Australia play a lot of day-night cricket here,” Stokes said. “How they use their spinner as an attacking option, or to get through overs quickly to have more time with the new ball under lights, both elements come into play.”
England XI for second Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.
