McCullum: Ashes XI not decided for 'biggest series of our lives'

England head coach Brendon McCullum dubbed this winter's Ashes as "the biggest series of our lives" as he said the XI for the first Test in Perth is yet to be decided.

England begin their bid for a first Ashes win away from home since 2010/11 - and first anywhere since the home triumph in 2015 - at Optus Stadium on November 21.

Jacob Bethell's first professional hundred against South Africa, albeit in the ODI format, has boosted his hopes of playing in the series opener, perhaps at the expense of vice-captain Ollie Pope at No 3.

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Jofra Archer looks nailed on to feature, underscoring his importance to the side by shredding South Africa for 72 in Southampton on Sunday after Bethell's breakthrough ton had powered England to a total of 414-5.

McCullum said when quizzed on the England XI that may take the field in Perth: "We will work that out in Australia. We've got a few other fish to fry before we get there.

"But, look, we've said about Jacob since we introduced him that he's got a huge future in front of him. He's very quickly taken to international cricket.

"Things have come really quickly for him as well. I want to celebrate the fact that his first ever professional hundred has been scored in the England jumper at the age of 21."

McCullum: We won't wrap up 'box office' Archer

On Archer, who recorded figures of 4-18 from nine overs at the Utilita Bowl on Sunday added: "He's a proper cricketer, hence why we've taken our time with him to make sure that we give him every chance to be in the biggest series of all of our lives.

"He's going to be a huge player when we get to Australia, as a number of others are.

"That was an unbelievable spell," added McCullum, after Archer removed four of South Africa's top five inside the powerplay as the Proteas plummeted to 24-6 in 9.5 overs.

"(He's) got quicker. It was box-office bowling... you didn't want to miss a ball.

"I thought it was brilliant and not just his pace but his skill, his ability to shift it both ways and to test batters with the steep bounce he gets."

Archer is in the squad for the three-match T20I series against South Africa, which starts in Cardiff on Wednesday (6.30pm first ball on Sky Sports Cricket) having not been rested like multi-format batters Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith.

McCullum said: "I think a lot of injuries happen when you almost down tools completely. We've had a good plan with Jof over the last little while and he's rewarded us for the type of planning we've had with performances like this one.

"I don't think we'll wrap him up per se, we'll just keep working with him on how he's going and work out what's best for him."

England vs South Africa - results and fixtures

All games live on Sky Sports, all times UK and Ireland 🕰️

• First ODI (Headingley): South Africa won by seven wickets 🟢
• Second ODI (Lord's): South Africa won by five runs 🟢
• Third ODI (Southampton) - England won by 342 runs 🔵

• First T20: Wednesday September 10 (6.30pm) - Cardiff
• Second T20: Friday September 12 (6.30pm) - Emirates Old Trafford
• Third T20: Sunday September 14 (2.30pm) - Trent Bridge

Ashes series in Australia 2025-26 🏏

All times UK and Ireland

• First Test: Friday November 21-Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) - Optus Stadium, Perth
• Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4-Monday December 8 (4.30am) - The Gabba, Brisbane
• Third Test: Wednesday December 17-Sunday December 21 (12am) - Adelaide Oval
• Fourth Test: Thursday December 25-Monday December 29 (11.30pm) - Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Fifth Test: Sunday January 4-Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) - Sydney Cricket Ground