Brisbane, australia – will Jacks has been named in the England playing XI for the second Ashes Test against australia at the Gabba, a day-night match beginning today. The inclusion of the Surrey all-rounder is, in part, due to his batting capabilities, offering England greater depth at number eight in the order.
Jacks, a left-field selection for the Ashes squad, will earn his third Test cap despite a recent focus on white-ball cricket. He has played only three first-class matches this year, claiming five wickets in 74.1 overs.England’s decision to select Jacks ahead of Shoaib Bashir suggests the team values his potential with the bat,especially in the context of a day-night Test where tactical versatility is key.
Australia will be without opener Usman Khawaja, who has been ruled out due to back spasms sustained in Perth. This absence paves the way for Travis Head to continue opening the batting following his match-winning century in the first Test.australia has not announced a replacement for Khawaja, meaning either Josh Inglis or Beau Webster will slot into the side.
“Everyone knows what a brilliant cricketer he is,” said England batter and Jacks’ surrey teammate, ollie Pope. “The way he’s grown over the last few years, we’ve seen his white-ball game really go forward. Its a great possibility for his red-ball,too. He’s obviously got that style of spin bowling where he can get some bounce and turn off the pitch, then everyone has seen the skills he’s got in the white-ball format. He can take on a really good attack.”
Jacks has 60 caps in white-ball cricket and previously claimed six wickets on his Test debut against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2022. England captain Ben Stokes highlighted the tactical considerations of day-night Tests, noting Australia’s effective use of off-spinner Nathan Lyon with the pink ball.
“They play a lot of day-night cricket here,” Stokes said. “How they use thier spinner as an attacking option, or more to get through the overs quicker to have more time with the new ball under lights – there’s both those elements to consider.”
England team 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.
