England's Ashes preparations have been cast into disarray with frontline spinner Jack Leach ruled out.
The ECB announced early Monday morning (AEST) the left-arm orthodox bowler will miss the entire series against Australia due to lower back stress fractures.
He began to feel the issue during the Test against Ireland over the weekend.
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Leach was the batting partner of Ben Stokes during the famous 2019 Ashes victory at Headingley.
That series the spinner took 12 wickets.
In seven matches against Australia he's taken 18 wickets at an average of 35.05.
All up he's played 35 Tests for England and takes wickets at an average of 34.18.
The Somerset bowler was the only spinner named in the 16-man squad for the first two Tests and England's depth in that area will now be tested.
Leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed is highly regarded after becoming the youngest man to play test cricket for England during the Pakistan series, while orthodox spinner Will Jacks picked up six wickets in two Tests in December.
Matt Parkinson played against New Zealand last year but has fallen out of favor. England batter Joe Root's occasional off-spin has claimed 54 test wickets at an average of 46.
England could try to tempt Moeen Ali or Adil Rashid out of their red-ball retirement.
England does have an array of seam options, but James Anderson and Ollie Robinson were rested for the Ireland test with minor niggles and Jofra Archer has already been ruled out of the summer action.
Olly Stone is also currently sidelined with a hamstring issue and concerns remain over Stokes' ability to bowl due to a long-standing left knee injury, which only heightened Leach's growing role in the side.
Australia has its own injury concerns, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the World Test Championship final and replaced by Michael Neser.
The Aussies remain confident Hazlewood will be fit for the first Ashes match on June 16.
- with AP
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England's Ashes preparations have been cast into disarray with frontline spinner Jack Leach ruled out.
The ECB announced early Monday morning (AEST) the left-arm orthodox bowler will miss the entire series against Australia due to lower back stress fractures.
He began to feel the issue during the Test against Ireland over the weekend.
READ MORE: Almighty NSW blow as Cleary suffers injury
READ MORE: Joey tees off on 'clueless' Tedesco axing calls
READ MORE: Greats 'surprised' by judiciary's call on Dolphin
Leach was the batting partner of Ben Stokes during the famous 2019 Ashes victory at Headingley.
That series the spinner took 12 wickets.
In seven matches against Australia he's taken 18 wickets at an average of 35.05.
All up he's played 35 Tests for England and takes wickets at an average of 34.18.
The Somerset bowler was the only spinner named in the 16-man squad for the first two Tests and England's depth in that area will now be tested.
Leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed is highly regarded after becoming the youngest man to play test cricket for England during the Pakistan series, while orthodox spinner Will Jacks picked up six wickets in two Tests in December.
Matt Parkinson played against New Zealand last year but has fallen out of favor. England batter Joe Root's occasional off-spin has claimed 54 test wickets at an average of 46.
England could try to tempt Moeen Ali or Adil Rashid out of their red-ball retirement.
England does have an array of seam options, but James Anderson and Ollie Robinson were rested for the Ireland test with minor niggles and Jofra Archer has already been ruled out of the summer action.
Olly Stone is also currently sidelined with a hamstring issue and concerns remain over Stokes' ability to bowl due to a long-standing left knee injury, which only heightened Leach's growing role in the side.
Australia has its own injury concerns, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the World Test Championship final and replaced by Michael Neser.
The Aussies remain confident Hazlewood will be fit for the first Ashes match on June 16.
- with AP
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
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