London, June 4 (AFP\/APP): England’s Ashes preparations were dealt a blow on Sunday as frontline spinner Jack Leach was ruled out of the series due to a lower back stress fracture.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old developed the injury as England wrapped up victory in a lone Test against Ireland on Saturday.<\/p>\n
“A scan on Sunday in London has revealed a stress fracture, which will keep him out of the forthcoming Ashes Test series,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement.<\/p>\n
No replacement for the Somerset left-armer has been announced, but Leach’s absence leaves a big gap to fill for the selectors for the showdown against Australia.<\/p>\n
He was the only spinner named in the 16-man squad on Saturday for the first two Tests and England’s depth in that area will now be tested.<\/p>\n
England head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes could opt for an all-seam attack, with Joe Root providing a spin option.<\/p>\n
But that could be a risky approach with doubts over how many overs Stokes will be fit to bowl due to a knee injury.<\/p>\n
Leach impressed during the winter tours of Pakistan and New Zealand to improve his Test tally to 124 wickets in 35 matches.<\/p>\n
But teenager Rehan Ahmed also shone on his Test debut in Pakistan, taking seven wickets in one match at an average of less than 20 runs.<\/p>\n
Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks is also in contention after he started the first two Tests in Pakistan.<\/p>\n
The first of the five-Test Ashes series gets underway on June 16 at Edgbaston.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
London, June 4 (AFP\/APP): England’s Ashes preparations were dealt a blow on Sunday as frontline spinner Jack Leach was ruled out of the series due to a lower back stress fracture. The 31-year-old developed the injury as England wrapped up victory in a lone Test […]<\/p>\n
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