Champions Trophy England Squad

Tom Banton has been called up to replace the injured Jacob Bethell in England’s 15-player squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE.

Bethell picked up a left hamstring injury during the ODI series against India, where he made a strong impression with a half-century in the opening match. His performances had positioned him as an important part of England’s setup, but the injury has ruled him out of the tournament.

In a major selection move, Joe Root has been recalled to England’s ODI squad for the Champions Trophy. He too played in the 50-over leg of the India series leading up to the event. This marks one of Brendon McCullum’s key decisions since taking charge of both the red- and white-ball teams.

Root enjoyed a standout year in Test cricket, finishing 2024 as the world's top-ranked batter in the format after accumulating 1,556 runs at an average of 55.57, including six centuries. However, he has been absent from England’s white-ball squad for over a year, last featuring in their disappointing 2023 World Cup campaign in India, where he managed 276 runs at 30.66—well below his career average of 47.60. His form in ODIs has dipped noticeably, scoring 666 runs at 28.95 across 28 matches since playing a crucial role in England’s 2019 World Cup triumph.

Ben Stokes, who captains England’s Test team and played a key role in their 2019 World Cup victory, was not considered for selection due to a left hamstring injury sustained in England’s recent 423-run defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton.

McCullum's selection strategy reflects his vision of aligning England’s Test and limited-overs teams, with eight members of the Champions Trophy squad having featured in Test matches this year. Additionally, all five fast bowlers included in the squad are capable of exceeding 90mph. Among them is Jofra Archer, whose injury-free return in 2024 has raised hopes of a potential Test comeback next summer.

Mark Wood, England’s quickest bowler, makes his return after missing the winter Test tours due to an elbow injury sustained last summer. Another notable inclusion is Gus Atkinson, who, like Wood, last played ODIs during England’s December 2023 tour of the West Indies.

Brydon Carse, who has been a standout performer during England’s Test season, has been given a further opportunity, while Saqib Mahmood returns after proving his fitness in the Caribbean following back-to-back stress fractures in 2022 and 2023.

Jamie Overton adds further pace to England’s attack. Due to his recent injury history, he has occasionally been deployed as a specialist lower-order batter in white-ball cricket. Overton showcased his batting ability in his only Test appearance to date, scoring 97 as a nightwatcher against New Zealand at Headingley in 2022.

Notably, Sam Curran has not been included in the squad. Curran, who was the Player of the Tournament in England’s 2022 T20 World Cup triumph, expressed concerns earlier this year that his pace and height did not align with McCullum’s preferred fast-bowling approach.

Reece Topley, a regular member of England’s white-ball squads in recent years, has also been left out following an unlucky streak of injuries. Meanwhile, Matthew Potts, who has impressed sporadically across formats but lacks the sheer pace of England’s selected quicks, has also been omitted.

Adil Rashid retains his role as England’s primary spinner, with spin support expected from Root and Liam Livingstone.

Phil Salt and Ben Duckett are likely to open the batting, having shown promise as a pair in England’s recent series against Australia. Will Jacks, however, has missed out on selection for the top order.

Jamie Smith, who skipped England’s Test series in New Zealand to be present for the birth of his first child, returns to the squad as a middle-order option and could take over wicketkeeping duties if captain Jos Buttler chooses not to don the gloves, as he did in England’s recent T20I series in the Caribbean.

England’s group stage fixtures:

February 22: England vs Australia, Lahore

February 26: England vs Afghanistan, Lahore

March 1: England vs South Africa, Karachi

England’s squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.