Rob Key insists Brook’s England promotion is not ‘scheme’ to oust Pope

<ul><li><p>Key all but confirms Woakes’ international career is over</p></li><li><p>Brook replaces Pope as vice-captain for Ashes series</p></li></ul><p>Rob Key has all but confirmed Chris Woakes has played his last game for England and insisted Harry Brook’s promotion to vice-captain for the Ashes is not “an elaborate scheme” to oust Ollie Pope from the team.</p><p>Speaking a day after naming a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/23/england-five-90mph-seamers-ashes-squad-australia-cricket">16‑man squad to take on Australia</a>, Key, the team director, clarified the selections – not least the late switch in deputy for Ben Stokes – and confirmed Woakes missed out because of the dislocated shoulder sustained during the final Test of the summer.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/24/rob-key-harry-brooks-chris-woakes-ollie-pope-england-ashes">Continue reading...</a>