Michael Vaughan and Glenn McGrath reveal combined Ashes XI, no place for Joe Root

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The Ashes 2025-26 is set to take place in Australia, and fans around the world are eagerly waiting for the iconic rivalry to resume. Ahead of this high-voltage series, former England captain Michael Vaughan and legendary Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath have revealed their combined Ashes XI, featuring a mix of top players from both nations.

The duo picked five Englishmen and six Australians in their combined team, creating a well-balanced lineup filled with power hitters, all-rounders, and world-class bowlers. However, what caught everyone’s attention was the absence of England’s star batter Joe Root, a decision that has already sparked debate among fans and experts.

Both Vaughan and McGrath chose England’s Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett as the openers of their combined Ashes XI. Crawley, known for his attacking stroke play and fearless approach, impressed with his recent performances against top-tier bowling attacks. Duckett, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer at the top, bringing stability to England’s batting lineup.

Their inclusion highlights the depth of England’s modern-day batting revolution under the Bazball approach. The duo’s ability to take on the new ball aggressively makes them a perfect fit for the demanding Australian conditions.

The middle order features a strong blend of flair, experience, and resilience. Vaughan and McGrath picked Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, and Jamie Smith to anchor the heart of the batting lineup.

Australian sensation Green brings balance to the team with his all-round capabilities, while Smith, one of the greatest Test batters of the modern era, provides the class and consistency needed in big contests.

Young English batter Brook has earned a place in the XI following his rapid rise in Test cricket, showcasing his ability to dominate even the best bowling attacks. Stokes, England’s inspirational captain, adds aggression, leadership, and match-winning ability, while Jamie, who has been highly rated for his wicketkeeping and batting skills, rounds off the middle order.

One of the most talked-about decisions in Vaughan and McGrath’s combined Ashes XI is the omission of Joe Root, who has been England’s most dependable Test batter for over a decade. Explaining their reasoning, McGrath stated that while Root’s record is exceptional overall, he has struggled to make a big impact in Australian conditions

“I’ve gone for Smith over Root. Root has never really scored big in Australia,” said McGrath on Test Match Special podcast

Vaughan echoed McGrath’s view, pointing to the sheer dominance Smith has displayed on home soil. Vaughan noted that Smith’s staggering average of around 60 in Australia with 18 centuries stands in sharp contrast to Root’s average of 36.

“I’m looking at Steve Smith’s average of 60 in Australia with 18 hundreds and Joe Root’s average of 36. Root is going to break Sachin Tendulkar’s Test run-scoring record and is the finest cricketer England have produced in terms of batting, but I can’t look beyond Steve Smith,” explained Vaughan.

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: Steve Harmison drops jaw-dropping prediction on Joe Root’s potential average and series scoreline

The bowling lineup is dominated by Australians, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon forming a lethal attack. This combination has been Australia’s backbone in the past decade, capable of dismantling any batting order with pace, precision, and spin.

Zak Crawley (England), Ben Duckett (England), Cameron Green (Australia), Steve Smith (Australia), Harry Brook (England), Ben Stokes (England), Jamie Smith (England), Pat Cummins (Australia), Nathan Lyon (Australia), Mitchell Starc (Australia), Josh Hazlewood (Australia)

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