England have slotted in Moeen Ali to the Ashes squad for the first two Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s, a development that brings the 35-year-old all-rounder out of Test retirement. Moeen had drawn the curtains on his Test career at the fag end of the 2021 season, but an injury to Jack Leach means he has now been reinstated following discussions with captain Ben Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum and Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket Rob Key.
England have suffered a hammer blow ahead of the Ashes with their premier spinner Jack Leach getting ruled out of the marquee series with a stress fracture. The left-arm orthodox developed symptoms during England’s victory over Ireland in the solitary four-day Test that concluded on Saturday, June 4. Leach bagged four wickets in England’s crushing 10-wicket win. Following the emphatic win, Leach’s scan on Sunday revealed the stress fracture.
Moeen is expected to add to his 64 Test caps at his home ground in Birmingham, which is scheduled to host the first Test of the series from June 16.
“We reached out to Mo (Moeen Ali) early this week about returning to Test cricket,” Key revealed in a statement to the ECB website. “Having had a couple of days to reflect, Mo is excited to join the squad and play Test cricket again. His vast experience, along with his all-round ability, will benefit our Ashes campaign. We wish Mo and the rest of the squad well for the Ashes campaign.”
Updated England squad for the first two Ashes Tests: Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Moeen Ali
He's back! 🙌
Welcome back, Mo! #Ashes 🏴 #ENGvAUS 🇦🇺
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 7, 2023
