England captain Ben Stokes is set to be available for the first Ashes Test despite a recent shoulder injury.
Stokes missed the final Test defeat against India at The Oval, which started on 31 July, as the tourists levelled the series at 2-2.
But England selectors said the talismanic all-rounder “remains on track to be available” for the start of the hotly anticipated five-Test series against a arch-rivals Australia, beginning in Perth on 21 November.
Stokes’ ability to play a full role with the ball remains in doubt following his recent injury.
Meanwhile, part-time spinner Will Jacks has been handed a surprise place in the squad for the Test series in Australia.
Jacks has largely been viewed as a white-ball specialist during his international career, winning his only two Test caps in Pakistan nearly three years ago.
The 26-year-old all-rounder has effectively been selected as a back-up off-spinner to Shoaib Bashir, preferred to Jack Leach, Liam Dawson and Rehan Ahmed.
He has a career haul of 49 first-class wickets at 42.22 and a total of 15 across formats for his country.
Somerset’s Bashir is available again following a finger injury.
Harry Brook has been confirmed as England’s vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope, who is in the 16-man squad as a batsman.
Fast bowler Mark Wood returns after missing the whole of the English season with a knee injury, while fellow quick Archer is only two Tests into his comeback in the format after four years of fitness setbacks.
Seamer Matthew Potts was selected despite last playing a Test in December 2024.
England drew 2-2 with Australia on home turf in the most recent Ashes series, in 2023, but have not won Down Under since 2010-11.
The first Test starts in Perth, with further matches in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
England Ashes squad: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wkt), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.
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Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images
