Ashes 2023: Jack Leach ruled out of the series after he sustains back stress fracture

The Ashes 2023 is just a few days away as both Australia and England are finalizing their preparations for the marquee series. However, ahead of the much-anticipated series, England have got a major blow as their star spinner Jack Leach has been ruled out of the series with a back stress fracture. Notably, Leach picked up four wickets in the recently concluded four-day Test against Ireland and helped his side seal a win in just three days.

The left-arm spinner reportedly developed symptoms during the Test victory against Ireland and later a scan confirmed the injury. The 31-year-old has played in all of England's 13 Tests ever since Ben Stokes took over as captain and scalped 45 wickets during the period. England are yet to announce his replacement in the squad and will expectedly do so in the coming days.

According to a report in BBC, Leach spent some time off the field on the third day of England's win against Ireland but later returned on the field as the hosts completed a comprehensive victory by ten wickets. His absence in the Ashes squad could prove to be a huge blow for England as the left-arm spinner was expected to hold one end with captain Ben Stokes unfit to bowl. Leach made his Test debut vs New Zealand in March 2018 and has since played 35 Tests for his country and scalped 124 wickets at an average of 34.18 with 5 five wicket-hauls.

Jack Leach's replacement will be announced by ECB soon

The possible replacements for the Somerset-born spinner could be Rehan Ahmed, Will Jacks and Liam Livingstone, all of whom made their Test debuts in Pakistan in December 2022. Dom Bess and Liam Dawson could also make the cut. However, the England Cricket Board (ECB) will announce the replacement in the following days ahead of Ashes as per a statement released shortly after Jack Leach got ruled out of the series.

England have already lost the services of speedster Jofra Archer who got ruled out of the Ashes due to a recurring elbow issue. On the other hand, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson were not picked in the squad for Ireland Test due to minor injuries. To make matters worse, captain Ben Stokes is yet to be at his 100% fitness as a knee injury isn’t allowing him to bowl. As a result, England have a lot of gaps to fill ahead of the first Ashes Test starting on June 16 at Edgbaston.