John Simpson, the Sussex club captain and wicketkeeper-batter, has been named to lead England's squad for the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, the tournament organisers confirmed on 21 October 2026. The seven-member side will compete at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong from 30 October to 1 November 2026, with England placed in Group A alongside Australia and Hong Kong, China.

England's Squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2026

Simpson, 38, captains a squad comprising Edward Barnard, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Jack Carson, Martin Andersson, Daniel Mousley, and Nathan Gilchrist. The selection blends county captaincy experience with the all-round depth the six-a-side format demands — six players per side, six overs per innings, with a premium on big hitting and versatile bowling.

Captaincy and Key Profiles

Simpson brings considerable pedigree: a mainstay of the English county circuit for over a decade, he skippered Sussex to promotion in 2024, scored 1,086 County Championship runs in 2025, and represented England in three ODIs against Pakistan in July 2021. He was also part of the MCC squad at the Hong Kong Sixes in 2017.

Edward Barnard, Warwickshire's all-format captain, was a member of the Worcestershire side that won the 2018 T20 Blast. Jack Carson, the Sussex off-spinner, captained his county in the One Day Cup this season, adding further leadership depth to the group.

Martin Andersson, the Derbyshire all-rounder, arrives in sharp form after taking 6 for 23 against Leicestershire in the Vitality Blast in May 2026 — the best T20 figures in Derbyshire's history — and claimed the PCA Player of the Month award for May. Daniel Mousley, the left-handed Warwickshire batter and off-spin bowler, contributes international experience across both ODIs and T20Is and featured in England's squad at last year's Hong Kong Sixes.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice provides seam bowling and batting depth, while Zimbabwe-born Nathan Gilchrist, Warwickshire's right-arm quick, gives the side genuine pace at the death.

What Organisers Said

Anuraag Bhatnagar, Director of Commercial and Marketing at Cricket Hong Kong, China, welcomed England's participation: 'England bring a rich cricketing heritage and some of the most capable all-round talent in the county game to the Hong Kong Sixes 2026. The tournament celebrates the excitement, entertainment and fast-paced nature of cricket, and a squad led by John Simpson promises to add to the spectacle. We look forward to welcoming the team and giving fans an unforgettable cricketing experience.'

England's Tournament Outlook

England will look to go one better than their semi-final finish in 2025, with a Group A draw that pits them against two strong sides in Australia and the hosts. The Hong Kong Sixes format rewards versatility — a quality the selectors have clearly prioritised, with all seven squad members capable of contributing with both bat and ball. The tournament's 2026 edition brings together teams from across the globe, and England's county-heavy squad is designed to hit the ground running from 30 October.