Overview

• Brendon McCullum left open replacing Ollie Pope as Ben Stokes’s deputy with Harry Brook, citing Brook’s growing leadership role.
• He said the Ashes group is largely settled, with debate focused on the back-up spinner behind first-choice Shoaib Bashir and a plan to carry a heavy pace contingent.
• Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed is widely viewed as the leading candidate for the reserve spin role, with Liam Dawson also in contention.
• England will not take a specialist back-up wicketkeeper, with Pope available to deputise for Jamie Smith if required.
• McCullum reported Ben Stokes and Mark Wood are progressing well in their recoveries and are expected to be ready for the series starting in Perth on 21 November.