3 big names missing in England's squad for Champions trophy 2025 ft. Ben Stokes
England, the 2019 ODI World Cup champions, have announced their squad for the India tour and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. They have named an exciting squad with a mix of experience and youth. Wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler is set to lead the side.
There are many surprises in their squad for the Champions Trophy. Joe Root, who was not a part of England's ODI side after the 2023 World Cup in India, returns to the squad for the India tour and the marquee event. Jofra Archer will lead the pace attack, while Adil Rashid is the lone proper spinner in the side.
However, a few big and key names are not a part of the squad for the Champions Trophy. Among those missing are some prominent names, whom the Buttler-led side may miss during the tournament.
On that note, here are the three big names missing in England's squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.
#3 Will Jacks
The 26-year-old hard-hitting batting all-rounder Will Jacks is a notable omission from England's squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Jacks has played 15 ODIs so far and has scored 468 runs at an average of 31.20 and a strike rate of 100.64, having recorded four half-centuries as well.
With Root coming back, Jacks does not find himself in the side. While he has performed well in franchise cricket, his performances on the international level in ODI cricket have not been as impressive.
During their last ODI series against the West Indies, Jacks managed just 36 runs from three innings with a top score of 19. With a batting all-rounder in Liam Livingstone already present, Jacks' poor form only made it difficult for him to find a place in the squad.
#2 Sam Curran
Sam Curran, the 26-year-old all-rounder, is a surprising miss from England's squad for the Champions Trophy. The think tank may have looked to fill in particular roles rather than going for big names, leading to Curran missing out.
With the likes of Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Mark Wood among others already present, the need for another fast bowler may not have necessarily been there. In the West Indies ODIs, Curran scored 129 runs from three games but did not pick up a single wicket with the ball.
However, with Sam Curran and Reece Topley both missing, the squad does not have any left-arm pacers. With the wickets in Pakistan expected to be potentially flat, requiring more of a 'hit the deck hard' sort of pacer may also have led to Curran's exclusion.
#1 Ben Stokes
England's all-format star and all-rounder Ben Stokes, who played a vital role in their 2019 World Cup triumph, is obviously the biggest name missing in the squad.
While his exclusion may come as a surprise for many, it was probably the most straightforward call. During their recently concluded Test series against New Zealand, Ben Stokes sustained a left hamstring injury during the third and final Test of the series.
Stokes is still recovering from the same and as he is not completely fit, has not been considered for their ODI squad against India and for the Champions Trophy. Despite being an exceptional cricketer, Stokes has been a victim of injuries several times, leading to him missing out on a lot of cricket, particularly in the recent past.
England squad for Champions Trophy 2025
Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, and Mark Wood.