The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday that spinner Jack Leach would not be participating in the upcoming Ashes series against Australia because he has a stress fracture in his back. The series will consist of five matches.
This week, Leach led England to a 10-wicket victory against Ireland in a one-off test match. Leach has been an ever-present in England’s team under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, and he collected 46 test wickets in the previous year. Leach’s performance this week was highlighted by the fact that he grabbed four wickets in the victory.
On Saturday, England unveiled the 16-man roster that would be used for the first two Ashes tests, and he was one of those players.
The injury to Leach is the most recent severe blow for England’s bowling department in the lead up to the series. Fast bowler Jofra Archer has already been ruled out of the competition.
“The 31-year-old Somerset slow left-armer developed low back symptoms during England’s victory over Ireland on Saturday,” the ECB said in a statement. “The match was an important one for England.”
“A scan that took place on Sunday in London found that he had a stress fracture, which will prevent him from participating in the upcoming Ashes test series… In due course, England will make an announcement on a replacement for the Ashes series.
The first match of the Ashes will take place on June 16 at Edgbaston.