England have named a seven-member squad for the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, with Sussex wicketkeeper John Simpson confirmed as captain. The six-a-side tournament runs from October 30 to November 1 at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground. England are in Group A alongside Australia and Hong Kong, China, and reached the semi-finals in 2025.
Tournament Snapshot: England in Group A
England were announced on October 22 and open against two hosts-and-rivals opponents in a compact group. The format rewards quick decision-making, so squad balance matters more than depth.
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Tournament dates | October 30 to November 1, 2026 |
| Venue | Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground, Hong Kong |
| England group | Group A |
| Group opponents | Australia, Hong Kong, China |
| Best recent England result | Semi-finals (2025) |
| India broadcast | Sony Sports Network and FanCode |
Squad Composition by the Numbers
The squad draws heavily from two counties. Sussex and Warwickshire supply six of the seven players, with Derbyshire providing the remaining one.
Continuity is limited. Daniel Mousley is the only player retained from the 2025 squad, meaning 1 of 7 players (about 14.3%) returns.
| County | Players | Share of Squad |
|---|
| Sussex | John Simpson, Jack Carson, Fynn Hudson-Prentice | 3 of 7 (42.9%) |
| Warwickshire | Edward Barnard, Daniel Mousley, Nathan Gilchrist | 3 of 7 (42.9%) |
| Derbyshire | Martin Andersson | 1 of 7 (14.3%) |
John Simpson's Captaincy Credentials
Simpson captains Sussex and keeps wicket. His record over the past two seasons points to consistent output and proven leadership at county level.
Key Career Markers
He scored 1,086 County Championship runs in 2025 and led Sussex to promotion in 2024. His Hong Kong Sixes experience dates back to 2017, when he was part of the MCC squad.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|
| County Championship runs (2025) | 1,086 |
| Sussex promotion as captain | 2024 |
| Hong Kong Sixes debut link | MCC squad, 2017 |
| England ODI appearances | 3 (v Pakistan, July 2021) |
That combination of format familiarity, wicketkeeping and captaincy makes him a considered choice for a tournament that favours decisive cricket.
Form Guide: Who Arrives in Best Shape?
Martin Andersson carries the strongest recent numbers into the event. The Derbyshire all-rounder took 6 for 23 against Leicestershire in the Vitality Blast in May 2026.
Andersson's Record Return
Those figures are the best T20 bowling figures in Derbyshire's history. He was subsequently named PCA Player of the Month for May 2026.
Experience and Leadership Depth
Mousley is a left-handed batter and off-spinner with England ODI and T20I caps, and he has direct Hong Kong Sixes experience from 2025. Edward Barnard captains Warwickshire across formats and was part of the Worcestershire squad that won the T20 Blast in 2018. Jack Carson captained Sussex in the One Day Cup 2026.
Full Squad and Roles
| Player | Club | Role and Notable Detail |
|---|
| John Simpson (Captain) | Sussex | Wicketkeeper-batter; 1,086 Championship runs in 2025 |
| Edward Barnard | Warwickshire | Captain across formats; 2018 T20 Blast winner with Worcestershire |
| Fynn Hudson-Prentice | Sussex | Seam bowling and batting depth |
| Jack Carson | Sussex | Off-spinner; captained Sussex in One Day Cup 2026 |
| Martin Andersson | Derbyshire | All-rounder; 6 for 23 in Vitality Blast, May 2026 |
| Daniel Mousley | Warwickshire | Left-handed batter and off-spinner; England ODI and T20I caps |
| Nathan Gilchrist | Warwickshire | Zimbabwe-born right-arm quick |
Analysis: Balance and Bowling Options
The squad offers two off-spin options in Carson and Mousley. Pace is covered by Gilchrist, with Hudson-Prentice and Andersson adding seam and all-round flexibility.
With only six bowling overs shared in a six-a-side game, versatility is a key metric. Several players can contribute with both bat and ball, which suits the format.
Cricket Hong Kong, China's Director of Commercial and Marketing, Anuraag Bhatnagar, said England bring “a rich cricketing heritage and some of the most capable all-round talent in the county game.” Against Australia and the hosts in Group A, England's 2025 semi-final finish sets the benchmark to match or better.