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England yet to decide Ashes team - coach McCullumImage source,loteria dominicana nacional Getty ImagesImage caption, Pope (left) averages 39.01 with eight centuries since McCullum and captain Ben Stokes took charge of England in 2022ByMatthew HenryBBC Sport JournalistPublished8 September 2025353 CommentsEngland have yet to decide on the 11 players who will play in the first Ashes Test against Australia, says coach Brendon McCullum.The series begins in Perth on 21 November and England are expected to have a largely settled team.One of the few positions in doubt is number three, with the selectors having to decide whether to retain vice-captain Ollie Pope or opt for 21-year-old Jacob Bethell.The young left-hander scored his first professional century in Sunday's third one-day international against South Africa."We've got a few other fish to fry before we get there, but I think we've said since we introduced Jacob that he's got a huge future in front of him," McCullum said."He's very quickly taken to international cricket and things have come really quickly for him as well."He's going to have some life - 21 years of age and being able to play like he does, and have the head on his shoulders that he's got too. "He'll just keep working hard and we'll see what unfolds."To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedMedia caption, Bethell and Archer star as England beat South Africa by record ODI marginBethell, who scored three half-centuries at number three last winter when Pope dropped down the order to fill in as wicketkeeper, admitted on Sunday he should have played more cricket this summer, having spent much of it on the sidelines as England's spare batter.He will have the chance to further his claims in T20s against South Africa this week, plus three T20s and three ODIs in New Zealand prior to the Ashes.In between those fixtures he will become the youngest man to captain England when he leads an under-strength side against Ireland later this month."It's a tremendous honour for him and we've put him in that position because we feel he's got leadership qualities," McCullum said.Asked if he already had an Ashes XI in his head, McCullum said: "No, not yet. We will work out that when we get to Australia."Duckett's 'freshen up' & debut 'just start' for BakerImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Defending just 131, Baker (right) took 0-76 as England were thrashed in the first ODI at HeadingleyTwo players almost certain to play in Perth are opener Ben Duckett and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. England have pulled both out of this week's T20s against South Africa to allow them a break before the winter. Duckett, in particular, looked jaded during the ODIs against South Africa that followed immediately after The Hundred, which was preceded by the gruelling five-Test series against India."I spoke to him and said 'I think you need to freshen up'," McCullum said."I'm in the racing game and not even Phar Lap [legendary Melbourne Cup-winning horse] can go around every week. Even he needs to go to the paddock occasionally. "He'll have a decent break at home, as will Jamie Smith."McCullum also backed 22-year-old bowler Sonny Baker, who returned the most expensive figures by an England debutant in the first ODI at Headingley on Tuesday.He did not feature in the following two matches but is in the squad for the T20s against the Proteas and Ireland."He's good - I've been really impressed with Sonny, to be honest," McCullum added."The way, even in that game, he kept running in and kept trying different things. I said to him before the game and I reiterate it now, this is just the start for him. "We wanted to give him a taste. We wanted to get him around the group and he'll be a part of the squads moving forward. "He's got an immense amount of talent and he bowls at good, high pace and is able to swing the ball both ways."If we can add some craft and some touch to that, as he matures and experiences this level more often, he's just going to keep getting better and better."England's 342-run in Southampton on Sunday was the biggest victory in terms of runs in ODI history, but they were convincingly beaten in the first two matches when the series was alive.Five of England's players were unable to train before the series opener because it was played so close to The Hundred final - and McCullum said the schedule "isn't ideal"."It is the first time we've ever met someone on the morning of a game," he said."But that's just how it is and we've got to be a bit more understanding of that and try and find ways in the future to be able to try and get up and going a little bit quicker."Related topicsEngland Men's Cricket TeamAustraliaCricketCould brilliant Bethell give England Ashes conundrum?Published7 SeptemberBethell's first ton sets up record England win over SAPublished7 SeptemberMore on this storyGet cricket news sent straight to your phonePublished16 AugustComments can not be loadedTo load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browserCommentsJoin the conversationThese comments are now closed.353 commentsShowLatestOldestHighest RatedMost RepliedSComment by shimmieandshake at 13:19 8 Sepshimmieandshake13:19 8 SepIf Bethell's in contention, why isn't he playing for Warwickshire vs. Surrey today? Playing against the reigning champions at a test match ground would be of significantly more value than playing the T20s in Ireland.Reply1924Show comment linksCComment by Chaddleberrisimo at 13:22 8 SepChaddleberrisimo13:22 8 Septo shimmieandshake"If Bethell's in contention, why isn't he playing for Warwickshire vs. Surrey today? Playing against the reigning champions at a test match ground would be of significantly more value than playing the T20s in Ireland."Yep, definitely needs some first class cricket if he's to be thrown into the AshesReply693Show comment linksMore replies (14)JComment by joshwalsh85 at 12:22 8 Sepjoshwalsh8512:22 8 SepSA did not win first 2 games comfortably. A 5 run victory is not comfortable.Reply11514Show comment linksDComment by DMW9 at 12:42 8 SepDMW912:42 8 Septo joshwalsh85"SA did not win first 2 games comfortably. A 5 run victory is not comfortable."A win is a win. No medal for taking part in international sport.Reply1540Show comment linksMore replies (9)LComment by LS at 12:12 8 SepLS12:12 8 SepEngland still haven’t nailed down their best XI, and that’s a concern. Australia are looking weaker than they have in years. This is a golden chance to win the Ashes away from home. The priority should be the series itself, not getting carried away with the Bazball project or making bold, left-field selections for the sake of it. Pick the right team, stay focused, and just win.Reply7710Show comment linksAComment by aub123 at 13:12 8 Sepaub12313:12 8 Septo LS"England still haven’t nailed down their best XI, and that’s a concern. Australia are looking weaker than they have in years. This is a golden chance to win the Ashes away from home. The priority should be the series itself, not getting carried away with the Bazball project or making bold, left-field selections for the sake of it. Pick the right team, stay focused, and just win."England seem pretty clear about their best XI - the side that played the Lord's test but with Atkinson replacing Woakes. Some will disagree but not sure why that would be a concern.Reply261Show comment linksMore replies (14)AComment by adorablesaucer at 12:27 8 Sepadorablesaucer12:27 8 SepPope is not the best number 3 we’ve ever had but he’s the best we have at the moment. Swapping him for Bethell would be ludicrous.Reply8120Show comment linksTComment by The_Welsh_Idiot at 12:32 8 SepThe_Welsh_Idiot12:32 8 Septo adorablesaucer"Pope is not the best number 3 we’ve ever had but he’s the best we have at the moment. Swapping him for Bethell would be ludicrous."Its not ludicrous. Its a gamble. You are hedging on the side of "potential".Bethell's ceiling is higher than Pope's, that what England will argue, and that the way he scores runs fits this England side and what they try to do in regards time in the game.I'm not sure its the right call, especially as the bloke has spent all summer watching cricket, but its not "ludicrous".Reply4227Show comment linksMore replies (21)HComment by Harry the Hornet at 12:59 8 SepHarry the Hornet12:59 8 SepConvincingly beaten in a game that went down to the last ball?Reply552Show comment linksTComment by Throat Warbler-Mangrove at 14:08 8 SepThroat Warbler-Mangrove14:08 8 Septo Harry the Hornet"Convincingly beaten in a game that went down to the last ball?"It didn't go down to the last ball. They needed 12 off 2. England only got close because Archer whacked a few sixes.Reply845Show comment linksMore replies (4)AComment by AK at 12:40 8 SepAK12:40 8 SepTo be honest even though I’m not the biggest fan of Pope, McCullum and Stokes have spent the best part of 2 years preparing for this next Ashes series. To swap out our number 3 with a few months to go would just be madness and isn’t going to happen. Same goes with Bashir.Reply507Show comment linksNComment by Nick at 14:26 8 SepNick14:26 8 Septo AK"To be honest even though I’m not the biggest fan of Pope, McCullum and Stokes have spent the best part of 2 years preparing for this next Ashes series. To swap out our number 3 with a few months to go would just be madness and isn’t going to happen. Same goes with Bashir."Far too much emphasis in the Ashes. As soon as one series finishes, it's all about the next one. In which case, Baz and Stokes should be very well prepared and have a pretty good idea what the team is. Are they prepared? Do they know? Time will tell How is Bethell now a shoe in after one decent knock? Problem is, England lack strength in depth. Pope isn't great, but is the best we have for nowReply193Show comment linksMore replies (1)RComment by Racing Snake at 12:30 8 SepRacing Snake12:30 8 SepGenerally the more settled a team is the better it performs. Stick with Pope at 3 but have Bethell in the squad.Reply446Show comment linksJComment by jdblues at 13:39 8 Sepjdblues13:39 8 Septo Racing Snake"Generally the more settled a team is the better it performs. Stick with Pope at 3 but have Bethell in the squad."Seems sensible....They only take 16 in an away squad. Lions are touring Australia at the same time pre-Christmas though, so a few could be put in the Lions squad to be fit and ready if needed for 1st team, e.g. Ahmed, Cox, Rew and Wood. Don't think Leach gets anywhere near the squad anymore.Reply126Show comment linksMore replies (3)DComment by diesel001 at 13:09 8 Sepdiesel00113:09 8 SepThe following eleven are in prime position as starters IMO:CrawleyDuckettPopeRootBrookStokes (c)Smith (wk)AtkinsonArcherCarseBashirReply4912Show comment linksDComment by diesel001 at 13:16 8 Sepdiesel00113:16 8 Septo diesel001"The following eleven are in prime position as starters IMO: Crawley Duckett Pope Root Brook Stokes (c) Smith (wk) Atkinson Archer Carse Bashir"You then have to choose the rest from the following:Batters: Bethell, Lawrence, CoxSeamers: Cook, Tongue, Wood, Woakes, Potts, HullSpinners: Dawson, Ahmed, LeachReply166Show comment linksMore replies (22)KComment by Kelly at 14:30 8 SepKelly14:30 8 SepI'm not sure I care for McCullum's attitude of "let's get them in and have a look at them". This is supposed to be top-level international sport, not an experiment. If Baker needs to add craft and mature, then maybe that should tell you that he's not yet ready for international cricket? They 'had a look' and he got smashed around the park. Some players might not come back from that experience.Reply282Show comment linksSComment by splendidfella at 14:34 8 Sepsplendidfella14:34 8 Septo Kelly"I'm not sure I care for McCullum's attitude of "let's get them in and have a look at them". This is supposed to be top-level international sport, not an experiment. If Baker needs to add craft and mature, then maybe that should tell you that he's not yet ready for international cricket? They 'had a look' and he got smashed around the park. Some players might not come back from that experience.""If Baker needs to add craft and mature, then maybe that should tell you that he's not yet ready for international cricket?"Spot on!Reply201Show comment linksMore replies (2)NComment by Nick at 13:23 8 SepNick13:23 8 SepHow were they "convincingly beaten in the first two matches" when the second one came down the last ball?Reply315Show comment linksNComment by Neutrality at 12:49 8 SepNeutrality12:49 8 SepThe England management seem to think they are running a club side. They identify players for the future with bags of talent so they play them in full internationals so they can learn the game.Surely the international team is not the place for players with bags of talent to learn. Isn't that the role of county cricket? What is the England Lions for?Reply316Show comment linksHComment by hd226868 at 12:50 8 Sephd22686812:50 8 Septo Neutrality"The England management seem to think they are running a club side. They identify players for the future with bags of talent so they play them in full internationals so they can learn the game. Surely the international team is not the place for players with bags of talent to learn. Isn't that the role of county cricket? What is the England Lions for?"That isn't the role of county cricket.Reply421Show comment linksMore replies (7)NComment by Nisbetts at 13:41 8 SepNisbetts13:41 8 SepAbsolutely love what McCullum and Stokes have done with the Test team - the positivity and result first based mentality has been a breath of fresh air. Yes mistakes have been made and it hasn’t always worked but easy to forget how turgid it was before…However, I don’t believe that he doesn’t have his XI in mind, they have been incredibly consistent with selection, quite rightly.Reply276Show comment linksMComment by matty at 13:50 8 Sepmatty13:50 8 Septo Nisbetts"Absolutely love what McCullum and Stokes have done with the Test team - the positivity and result first based mentality has been a breath of fresh air. Yes mistakes have been made and it hasn’t always worked but easy to forget how turgid it was before… However, I don’t believe that he doesn’t have his XI in mind, they have been incredibly consistent with selection, quite rightly."Totally agree mate. Annoys me all the stick they get. Yes mistakes have been made but ive been to about 4 test matches since Stokes, didn't go to any while Root was captain. People forget, that we lost Broad and Anderson too, our opening bowlers for over 10 years, its hard to replace o/n. Aussies will find that out in a few years. The only way is to stagger it. Jimmy shouldve stayed on for bit imoReply242Show comment linksMore replies (12)BComment by blobvilla at 14:22 8 Sepblobvilla14:22 8 SepStokes being fit to bowl is absolutely crucial to the selection.Reply222Show comment linksSComment by sammy at 13:25 8 Sepsammy13:25 8 SepI think this is a closer series than people think ! Australia are an aging side . England play fearlessly. Now I’m like a lot of people who have played /coached the game I get frustrated when we don’t adapt to conditions and throw matches away . If we can improve the self destruct and keep the quicks fit we can win this series . Australia get on top they are ruthless finishers at home !Reply234Show comment linksDComment by diesel001 at 13:27 8 Sepdiesel00113:27 8 Septo sammy"I think this is a closer series than people think ! Australia are an aging side . England play fearlessly. Now I’m like a lot of people who have played /coached the game I get frustrated when we don’t adapt to conditions and throw matches away . If we can improve the self destruct and keep the quicks fit we can win this series . Australia get on top they are ruthless finishers at home !"Australia's bowling attack is better Australia have home advantageThose two things tip it in Australia's favour IMOReply175Show comment linksMore replies (6)SComment by Spoondog at 13:17 8 SepSpoondog13:17 8 SepYes there are questions about the batting order, specifically Crawley & Pope, but surely the bigger issue is how we use our best bowlers in order to maximise their chances of staying fit. That's particularly the case with Stokes where a contingency plan is needed to balance the team should he break down. Also questions over the spin bowling - i.e. stick with Bashir or should Rehan be starting.Reply172Show comment linksDComment by dave at 16:25 8 Sepdave16:25 8 Septo Spoondog"Yes there are questions about the batting order, specifically Crawley & Pope, but surely the bigger issue is how we use our best bowlers in order to maximise their chances of staying fit. That's particularly the case with Stokes where a contingency plan is needed to balance the team should he break down. Also questions over the spin bowling - i.e. stick with Bashir or should Rehan be starting."Rehan feels like the successor for Stokes - i.e England's next allrounder. Then you can genuinely pick 4 fast bowlers / seamers.Reply160Show comment linksMore replies (2)TComment by The Welsh Xavi at 12:48 8 SepThe Welsh Xavi12:48 8 SepThe worry is less so the team for me, although there are some question marks, but moreso the mindset. To win an Ashes series in Australia you have to be mentally tough. There will be long periods where Aus are on top and we'll have to dig in. I'm not sure the team is capable of doing that as they regularly get bored, play a rash shot, and then hide behind "that's how we play".Reply184Show comment linksYComment by yowaye at 19:26 8 Sepyowaye19:26 8 Septo The Welsh Xavi"The worry is less so the team for me, although there are some question marks, but moreso the mindset. To win an Ashes series in Australia you have to be mentally tough. There will be long periods where Aus are on top and we'll have to dig in. I'm not sure the team is capable of doing that as they regularly get bored, play a rash shot, and then hide behind "that's how we play"."All except Root who plays proper cricketReply120Show comment linksLComment by LD Rob at 14:16 8 SepLD Rob14:16 8 SepWhatever people say on here I ?? guarantee that McCullum will not drop Crawley, Pope or Bashir if fit. Don't shoot the messenger.I'm actually more worried about Stokes staying fit as I don't see us winning without him. Also Brook seems to have gone off the boil with all this white ball stuff and at times the saying more 'brains in pork pie' applies to his shot selection.Reply152Show comment linksKComment by Kelly at 14:32 8 SepKelly14:32 8 Septo LD Rob"Whatever people say on here I ?? guarantee that McCullum will not drop Crawley, Pope or Bashir if fit. Don't shoot the messenger. I'm actually more worried about Stokes staying fit as I don't see us winning without him. Also Brook seems to have gone off the boil with all this white ball stuff and at times the saying more 'brains in pork pie' applies to his shot selection."Why on earth would they drop Crawley? Do you not realise how good his opening partnership with Duckett is, and how vital that could be in taking games away from Australia?Reply138Show comment linksMore replies (13)NComment by Nineandone at 12:27 8 SepNineandone12:27 8 SepIn order to beat the Aussies in Australia everything needs to go for youYou also need to be absolutely desperate to win at all costs. We showed improvements against India but we still couldn't beat them. I can't see us beating Australia with our mindset, if we can keep the series alive to the 5th test that would be a great achievementReply157Show comment linksWComment by WilloTheWisp at 12:28 8 SepWilloTheWisp12:28 8 Septo Nineandone"In order to beat the Aussies in Australia everything needs to go for you You also need to be absolutely desperate to win at all costs. We showed improvements against India but we still couldn't beat them. I can't see us beating Australia with our mindset, if we can keep the series alive to the 5th test that would be a great achievement"totally agree. can sew Australia winning 3 nil or 4 nil with rain effecting the Sydney test! Be amazed if we nick one test tbhReply612Show comment linksMore replies (1)CComment by Chris at 13:03 8 SepChris13:03 8 SepIsn't the bigger issue over Stokes and if he's going to be 4th seamer, if not then he should bat at 3 and then potentially Ahmed at 7.Reply179Show comment linksTComment by The_Welsh_Idiot at 13:07 8 SepThe_Welsh_Idiot13:07 8 Septo Chris"Isn't the bigger issue over Stokes and if he's going to be 4th seamer, if not then he should bat at 3 and then potentially Ahmed at 7."Now this is a good debate. Who is your first spinner? Bashir? And would you opt for a 2 spin, 3 pace attack? Or 1,4 and use Root as a part time spinner?Reply13Show comment linksMore replies (4)BComment by byhec at 15:04 8 Sepbyhec15:04 8 SepRather than going with the predictable failure of Pope, let instead go for a chance of success with Bethell ....Reply95Show comment linksMore commentsBack to toploading comments module
