England spinner Moeen Ali, who announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2021, has been named to the squad for the first two Ashes Tests against Australia, which begin on June 16.
“Warwickshire spin-bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali has been added to the England Men’s Test squad for the first two Ashes Test matches against Australia, which begin at Edgbaston on Friday, 16 June 2023,” the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement on Wednesday.
He took the place of Somerset’s Jack Leach, who was withdrawn from the original 16-man squad on Sunday due to a low back stress fracture that will keep him out of the five-match Ashes Test series.
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According to the ICC, the 31-year-old Somerset slow-left-armer experienced low back pain during England’s Test victory over Ireland on Saturday.
During a scan on Sunday in London, a stress fracture was discovered, ruling him out of the upcoming Ashes Test series.
Ali, 35, who had planned to retire from Test cricket at the end of the 2021 summer, has reversed his decision after discussions with Test captain Ben Stokes, Test head coach Brendon McCullum, and England Men’s Cricket managing director Rob Key.
The off-spinner from Birmingham will be looking to add to his 64 Test caps. He has 2,914 Test runs to his name and 195 Test wickets. He has five centuries and 14 fifties in the format, and his inclusion will significantly improve England’s batting depth. On June 18, he will celebrate his 36th birthday during the first Test at Edgbaston.