England’s Jack Leach ruled out of Ashes

The Ashes start on June 16

By Web Desk
June 04, 2023
Jack Leach while playing for England — Sky Sports

England’s spinner Jack Leach has been ruled out of Ashes 2023 which will start on June 16 in England.

The 31-year-old Somerset slow left-armer developed lower back symptoms during England's victory over Ireland at Lord's on Saturday.

A scan on Sunday in London has revealed a stress fracture, which will keep him out of the upcoming Ashes Test series.

At statement released by the ECB said: "England will announce a replacement for the series in due course."

Leach has taken wickets at an average of 34.18 in 35 Tests for England. In seven Ashes appearances, he has bagged 18 wickets at 35.05 apiece.

On the other hand, Australia’s pacer Josh Hazlewood is also a doubt for Ashes as he is out of the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against India which starts on June 7. He has been replaced in the squad by Michael Neser.

Hazlewood, 32, who picked up side soreness at the Indian Premier League (IPL), remains in Australia's squad for the Ashes, though, with chief selector George Bailey saying he remains in contention for the first of those Tests, in Edgbaston on June 16.

"Josh was very, very close to being given the green light but we are cognisant that our upcoming schedule [the WTC final quickly followed by five Ashes Tests] means this is not a one-off Test match of us,” he said.

"This will give Josh an ideal preparation leading into Edgbaston. With six Test matches in a little over seven weeks we will need all of our fast bowling assets."

The 32-year-old withdrew from the IPL after playing just three matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and at the time the decision was considered to be a precautionary measure, with scans clearing him of any damage to his side.

Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins is back after missing Australia's previous two Tests, in India, due to family reasons, and Mitchell Starc is fully fit having missed the first two games of that India series with a finger injury.

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