England’s injury concerns ahead of the highly anticipated Ashes series have deepened with the news that experienced spinner Jack Leach will miss the upcoming tournament due to a lower back stress fracture. The announcement comes as a significant blow to Ben Stokes and his team, who are already grappling with several key players on the sidelines. With less than two weeks remaining until the England vs Australia series kicks off on June 16 in Birmingham, England is yet to announce a replacement for Leach.
Jack Leach, the 31-year-old Somerset slow-left-armer, encountered low back symptoms during England’s recent Test victory over Ireland. Following a scan conducted in London on Sunday, it was confirmed that Leach had sustained a stress fracture in his lower back. This unfortunate injury will rule him out of the highly-anticipated Ashes Test series, set to commence at Edgbaston on June 16. The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement on Sunday, expressing the news and mentioning that a replacement for the Ashes series will be announced in due course.
England’s selectors are now faced with the task of finding a suitable replacement for Jack Leach in the Ashes squad. The decision will likely involve careful consideration and analysis to identify a player who can complement the team’s bowling unit effectively. The announcement of the replacement is anticipated in the coming days, as England aims to finalize their preparations ahead of the series opener against Australia.