Daniel Worrall Could Feature in 2025/26 Ashes Series—But Not for Australia
Australian-born seamer Daniel Worrall may soon find himself in the heart of cricket’s most iconic rivalry—the Ashes—but not wearing the baggy green of Australia.
The 33-year-old fast bowler, now a British citizen, is edging closer to international selection for England, after switching his allegiances two years ago.
Worrall, who previously played three One Day Internationals (ODIs) for Australia, could soon become the 12th player to represent both nations in international cricket. His journey to this point has been built on a stellar run in English county cricket, where he has impressed with his consistent performances for Surrey.
Over the past three seasons of the County Championship, Worrall has claimed 139 wickets at an impressive average of 21.17.
Former England Test player Alec Stewart, now Director of Cricket at Surrey, has been vocal in his praise of Worrall, comparing him to England’s legendary swing bowler Jimmy Anderson.
“After Jimmy Anderson, over the last two years he’s the best bowler in the country,” Stewart told The London Telegraph. “He’s as close to Jimmy Anderson skills-wise as I’ve seen, and he’s just got better and better.”
Stewart was candid about the potential controversy of selecting a foreign-born player but remained focused on the goal of building a winning team. “If he gets picked, there will be plenty of headlines and plenty of comments, but we have got to move with the times.
Really, it’s not ideal—I just want people born and bred in England, grew up wanting to play for England. But while regulations are there, he’s just going to strengthen England’s bowling because he is a serious cricketer.”
Can Dan Worrall Perform at International Stage?
England faces a significant void in its bowling attack following the retirement of Anderson from Test cricket earlier this year. Worrall’s ability to move the ball and consistently trouble batsmen has caught the attention of many, including recently retired Stuart Broad, another Ashes great.
Broad sees Worrall as a potential game-changer for England’s bowling unit as they prepare for the 2025/26 Ashes series against Australia.
“I’m a huge fan of Dan’s bowling—he’s the standout player in county cricket,” Broad said. “He moves the ball consistently. I like what he does with that wide angle on the crease; he can swing the ball away and nip it back.”
“He has a lot of weapons in his armoury. There is no doubt he will be in the selectors’ thoughts because you could get a couple of great years from him.”
Broad believes Worrall’s skillset could help England claim vital wickets during the upcoming Ashes campaign. “Ultimately, playing for him will be about winning Tests. He is a bowler that could help you get 20 wickets for a couple of seasons.”
As the Ashes rivalry continues to evolve, Worrall’s inclusion in the England squad could add another fascinating chapter to the history between the two cricket powerhouses.
