Will Jacks Steps In as England Shake Up Ashes Plans for the Gabba Test
So, the big headline rolling out of Brisbane right now is that Will Jacks has been drafted into England’s XI for the second Ashes Test — and it’s a move that signals a real shift in strategy. After the heavy defeat in Perth, where England went all-in on pace, a different approach is being taken for this day-night match at the Gabba. And that approach includes spin.
Jacks, who last played a Test almost three years ago, comes in for Mark Wood, who has been ruled out with soreness in his left knee. Wood had only just made his return after surgery, but that workload has clearly caught up with him. With him out, England have opted not for a like-for-like fast bowler, but for a batting all-rounder who offers useful off-spin and more depth in the lower order.
Now, this selection wasn’t a straightforward one. Shoaib Bashir, England’s first-choice spinner for most of the past year, has been left out — the first time that’s happened when he’s been fit. It’s a tough call for the 22-year-old, especially since he was groomed specifically for Australian conditions and was expected to feature heavily in this series. But the nature of this pink-ball Test seems to have pushed England toward someone who can contribute in multiple ways, not just with the ball.
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Jacks himself has been something of a wildcard inclusion in this Ashes squad. He’s focused mostly on white-ball cricket recently and played very little first-class cricket this year, but England still see value in what he brings — his confidence, his aggressive batting, and that ability to extract bounce and turn when conditions allow. His six-wicket haul on debut in Rawalpindi back in 2022 is still remembered, even if he hasn’t matched that since.
What’s interesting is how England are thinking about spin in a day-night Test. Traditionally, these matches favour fast bowlers under lights, but Nathan Lyon’s pink-ball record shows that spinners absolutely can play a role. Ben Stokes pointed this out — sometimes a spinner isn’t just for wickets, but for controlling the game, rotating the seamers, or setting up the new-ball bursts when the lights take over. That seems to be the tactical thinking behind using Jacks here.
On the Australian side, there’s movement too. Usman Khawaja has been ruled out with back spasms, meaning Travis Head will continue opening after his century in Perth. Australia haven’t even called in a replacement, so one of Josh Inglis or Beau Webster is expected to slot in.
For England, this is a massive opportunity. A win at the Gabba — a ground where they haven’t had success since 1986 — would level the series and reset everything. And for Jacks, it’s a real chance to secure a long-term place in the Test side, especially if his all-round contributions make a difference in what’s expected to be a tricky, fast-changing day-night contest.
The stage is set. The question now is whether this strategic gamble pays off.
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