In what is a huge blow for the England cricket team ahead of the much-awaited Ashes series 2023, star spinner Jack Leach has been ruled out of the series because of an injury. He has a lower back injury and this has ruled him out of this Test series which has a lot of history and tradition behind it.
Ever Since Ben Stokes has taken over the reigns of the England cricket team as skipper, Jack Leach has been a trusted man of his own. He has given the most number of overs to the off-spinner and skipper Ben Stokes will be missing the services of his potent spinner.
In the last 1 year, Jack Leach has bowled over 200 overs and this is the maximum by an English bowler during this stipulated time. Jack Leach’s injury will now force England to announce a replacement in a few weeks.
“The 31-year-old Somerset slow left-armer developed low back symptoms during England’s victory over Ireland on Saturday. A scan on Sunday in London has revealed a stress fracture, which will keep him out of the forthcoming Ashes Test series. England will announce a replacement for the Ashes series in due course,” read a statement from the apex body of England cricket, ECB.
Liam Livingstone and Will Jacks are all-rounders who can bowl spin can be considered as replacements in the England cricket team. Joe Root also bowls spin and skipper Ben Stokes can try him out in the Ashes 2023 series.
Ben Stokes’s fitness will also be a concern for England
Skipper Ben Stokes didn’t bowl in the recently-concluded Test match versus Ireland. As the England top-order batters ruled the roost in the game, Ben Stokes didn’t even have to bat nor did he take a catch.
As he has a recurring knee injury, England would be wary about his fitness. This is the sole reason why he couldn’t play a big part for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Ben Stokes played only 2 games for Chennai in this season and mustered 15 runs for the MS Dhoni led side.
England would be desperately needing the services of all-rounder Ben Stokes if they have to win the Ashes 2023 against a dominant Australian side led by Pat Cummins.
The Ashes will kick-start from June 16th and the 1st Test match will be played at the Edgbaston.
England Squad for Ashes 2023
Ben Stokes (c), Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Joe Root, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Jack Leach, Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Dan Lawrence, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Josh Tongue.
Also read: WTC Finals IND vs AUS 2023: Will India Drop Ravichandran Ashwin From The Playing XI?
