Ashish Ranjan
Australia and England are concluding their preparations for the Ashes 2023, with only a few days remaining before the series. However, prior to the highly anticipated series, England have suffered a significant setback as their star spinner Jack Leach has been ruled out with a stress fracture in his back. In the recently concluded four-day Test against Ireland, Leach took four wickets and enabled his team win in just three days.
During the Test victory against Ireland, the left-arm spinner reportedly exhibited symptoms of an injury, which was later validated by a scan. Since Ben Stokes took over as captain, the 31-year-old has participated in each of England’s 13 Tests and has taken 45 wickets. It is anticipated that England will declare his replacement in the squad in the coming days.
According to a BBC report, Leach spent some time off the field on the third day of England’s victory over Ireland, but he later returned as the hosts completed a ten-wicket victory. His absence from the Ashes squad could be devastating for England, as the left-arm spinner was anticipated to hold one end in the absence of captain Ben Stokes. Leach made his Test debut against New Zealand in March 2018 and has since appeared in 35 Tests for his country, taking 124 wickets at an average of 34.18 with five five-wicket hauls.
ECB will shortly announce the replacement for Jack Leach.
Rehan Ahmed, Will Jacks, and Liam Livingstone, all of whom made their Test debuts in Pakistan in December 2022, could replace the Somerset-born spinner. Dom Bess and Liam Dawson may also be considered. Nevertheless, the England Cricket Board (ECB) will declare the replacement in the days leading up to the Ashes, according to a statement issued shortly after Jack Leach was ruled out of the series.
Also See | England is the most challenging place to bat : Wasim Jaffer
England have already lost the services of the speedy Jofra Archer, who has been ruled out of the Ashes due to a recurring elbow injury. However, owing to minor injuries, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson were not selected for the Ireland Test squad. Ben Stokes, the team’s captain, is not yet 100 percent fit due to a knee injury that prevents him from bowling. Consequently, England has many holes to cover prior to the first Ashes Test, which begins on June 16 at Edgbaston.
