The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the inclusion of 18-year-old Rehan Ahmed in the English squad for the upcoming second Test of the Ashes 2023 against Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
Rehan Ahmed, a talented leg-spinner, has been added to the squad as a replacement for Moeen Ali, who sustained an injury during the first Test at Edgbaston. Ali developed a blister on his right index finger, which affected his bowling performance as he struggled to land the ball accurately.
Ahmed made his debut for England during the series against Pakistan and showcased remarkable performances. Despite playing only one match on the tour, he impressed by taking seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. If Moeen Ali is deemed unfit, Ahmed will have the opportunity to play his second Test at Lord’s on June 28th.
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In an official statement, the ECB declared: “Leicestershire leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been added to the England Men’s Test squad for the second LV= Insurance Men’s Ashes Test against Australia, starting at Lord’s on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, as cover for spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali.”
The statement continued, “Ahmed, 18, who made his Test debut in the final Test against Pakistan in Karachi last winter, will join the rest of the squad this weekend in London”.
Here’s England’s squad for the Lord’s Test:
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson, Daniel Lawrence, Josh Tongue, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Rehan Ahmed