LONDON — The dust has settled on another pulsating Ashes series, with Australia retaining the urn after a 2-2 draw in 2023. Yet, for England, the focus has already shifted four years down the line. The mission to reclaim the Ashes on Australian soil in 2027 is a daunting one, last achieved in 2010-11. With key pillars of the current 'Bazball' era likely to be in their twilight years by then, the search for the next generation of Ashes heroes is well underway. BBC Sport looks at the players who may force their way into England contention before the next tour Down Under.
The Batting Prodigies: Building the Next Top Order
The 2027 top order will likely need fresh blood. While Zak Crawley and Harry Brook will be seasoned campaigners, the spots of Joe Root and potentially Ben Stokes will need addressing. The County Championship is nurturing several exciting talents. James Rew of Somerset is the standout name. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter, still only 20, has already compiled over 1,500 first-class runs with five centuries, showcasing a temperament and technique beyond his years. His glovework is also improving rapidly, offering a potential long-term solution.
Another shining light is Dan Mousley. The Warwickshire all-rounder, a stylish left-handed batter and handy off-spinner, has been tipped for the top since his teenage years. His breakthrough 2024 season, where he averaged over 50 and claimed vital wickets, has seen him fast-tracked into England Lions squads. As former England captain Michael Vaughan noted, "Mousley has that rare calmness at the crease. He looks like an England player in waiting."
Beyond these, names like Finlay Bean (Yorkshire), a prolific opener, and Kashif Ali (Worcestershire), a powerful middle-order hitter, are amassing runs that are impossible to ignore. The pathway is clear: dominate county cricket and the Lions tours, and the door will open. The key attributes sought will be:
- Mental fortitude: Handling the unique pressure of an Ashes tour.
- Technique against pace: Countering the extra bounce of Australian pitches.
- Scoring rate: Maintaining the positive intent of the current ethos.
The Pace Battery: Who Can Partner Wood and Robinson?
England's pace attack in 2027 will be built around the express pace of Mark Wood and the relentless accuracy of Ollie Robinson, but both will be in their mid-30s. The search for fresh, hostile pace is paramount. Josh Tongue has already debuted and offers a compelling blend of height, bounce, and skill. His fitness will be key, but he is a prime candidate to lead the attack. Meanwhile, Matthew Potts’s tireless seam bowling and wicket-taking knack keep him firmly in the frame.
The next tier is bursting with potential. John Turner (Hampshire) generates serious pace and swing, though his career has been punctuated by injuries. If he can build a consistent run of games, his ceiling is extremely high. Gus Atkinson (Surrey) is another who consistently clocks over 90mph and impressed on his international white-ball debut. His red-ball development will be closely monitored. From the left-arm angle, which England often lack, Sam Cook (Essex) continues to be a prolific wicket-taker through sheer skill, though questions about his extra pace remain.
The Spin Conundrum: Life After Leach?
Jack Leach will be 36 by the 2027 Ashes. While his experience is invaluable, England must identify a successor who can bowl long, controlling spells and provide a wicket-taking threat on Day Four and Five pitches. The current favourite is Tom Hartley. His transformative debut series in India, where he took 22 wickets, proved his character and skill. His height and ability to extract bounce make him an intriguing prospect for Australian conditions.
Challenging him directly is Shoaib Bashir, the young off-spinner who also excelled in India. His extraordinary release height creates a unique trajectory. As spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel observed, "What 'Bash' and Tom have is fearlessness. They want the ball in tough situations. That's half the battle in Test cricket." The coming seasons will be a fascinating duel between these two to become the primary spinner. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed remains a thrilling, attacking wildcard option.
The All-Rounder Inheritance: Replacing Stokes and Woakes
Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes have been instrumental for over a decade. Identifying multi-skilled players who can balance the side is perhaps England's biggest challenge. Liam Dawson is the immediate, experienced candidate—a reliable left-arm spinner and powerful lower-order batter—but at 37 in 2027, he is a short-term option.
The future likely lies with younger models. Jamie Smith (Surrey) is being groomed as a potential superstar. A devastating batter who can keep wicket, he offers the flexibility to play as a specialist bat or a genuine keeper at No. 7, allowing England to pack their side with an extra bowler. Matthew Fisher (Yorkshire), if he can overcome injury woes, is a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder. His ability to contribute runs could be crucial in crafting a deep, versatile touring party.
The journey for these aspirants is clear. Performance in the County Championship will get them noticed, but it is on the Lions tours—especially any planned trips to Australia—and in potential early Test caps in less pressurised environments where they must prove their mettle. The management, led by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, has shown a willingness to bet on talent and temperament. As McCullum has famously stated, "We want to create an environment where people feel free to express themselves and aren't afraid to fail."
Conclusion: A Four-Year Audition Begins
The road to the 2027 Ashes is a long one, filled with opportunities and pitfalls. While the core of the current side will aim to be there, the inevitable cycle of the game means spaces will open up. For players like Rew, Mousley, Hartley, and Tongue, the next four seasons represent a prolonged audition. They must not only pile up runs and wickets but also demonstrate the resilience, adaptability, and aggressive mindset required to thrive in the cauldron of an Australian Ashes series. The planning starts now, and the competition for those coveted plane tickets will be fierce.