England’s preparations were hampered by Jack Leach’s stress fracture.
This week, during England’s 10-wicket victory over Ireland at Lord’s, Leach took four wickets but acquired low back symptoms.
A Sunday MRI found a stress fracture in his lumbar vertebrae, preventing him from playing all five Ashes Tests. “Spinner Jack Leach will miss the LV Insurance men’s Ashes series due to a lumbar stress fracture,” England said.
“England will announce a replacement for the Ashes series in due course.”
The news is devastating for England head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. Who have emphasized Leach’s significance throughout their year in command. During the winter tours to Pakistan and New Zealand, the 31-year-old’s Test wicket total increased to 124 in 35 contests.
A strong start to the domestic season with Somerset, in which he took 18 wickets in six LV Insurance County Championship matches, bolstered the notion that Leach could play a pivotal role in the Ashes despite his struggles in the previous series in Australia.
On Thursday, Leach tormented Ireland at Lord’s with three wickets at 2.50. On Saturday, he took a wicket with his second delivery.
However, Leach departed the pitch after only three overs and, upon his return, was attacked by Andy McBrine in particular, allowing 90 runs to be scored in 20 overs.
The absence of Leach from the Ashes, which commences on 16 June and concludes at the end of July, will drastically alter Stokes’ bowling lineup.
On Saturday, England’s only spinner was the bowler. In December, orthodox spinner Will Jacks took six wickets in two Tests. While leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed became the youngest person to play Test cricket for England during the Pakistan series.
Matt Parkinson participated in the previous Ashes series, but he has since fallen out of grace. And England’s alternative options include luring Moeen Ali or Adil Rashid out of their red-ball retirement.
England has a variety of seam bowling options, but James Anderson and Ollie Robinson were spared for the Ireland Test due to minor injuries, and Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the summer. Olly Stone is also presently sidelined with a hamstring injury, and captain Ben Stokes’ ability to bowl remains in question due to a long-standing left knee injury, which has only increased Jack Leach’s importance to the team.
