Moeen Ali comes out of Test retirement to join England's Ashes squad following Jack Leach injury

Moeen Ali has come out of Test retirement to join England’s squad for the first two Ashes Tests against Australia. The all-rounder has not played a Test since retiring from the format in September 2021. Ad However, he has returned following an injury to spinner Jack Leach which has ruled him out of the five-match series.

CricketEngland spinner Leach ruled out of Ashes series v Australia with stress fracture04/06/2023 AT 17:07 Rob Key, managing director of England men's cricket, said: «We reached out to Mo early this week about returning to Test cricket. “Having had a couple of days to reflect, Mo is excited to join the squad and play Test cricket again. His vast experience, along with his all-round ability, will benefit our Ashes campaign.

»We wish Mo and the rest of the squad well for the Ashes campaign." Moeen has played 64 Tests for England, scoring 2,914 runs and taking 195 wickets. He could come straight into the side to replace Leach, although there is also the chance England go with an all-pace attack at Edgbaston, the venue for the first Test against Australia on June 16. Leach rules out of Ashes due to injury England beat Ireland by 10 wickets ahead of Ashes Moeen said in September 2021 when he announced his Test retirement that he found the format “really difficult to get into”.

However, last summer he said he would “love to play” in the new England set-up under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. “Both of them have that character about them. They're very aggressive,” he said.

“I think I would suit their cricket a bit more and I think they feel I would suit them as well.” Moeen has taken 20 wickets in 11 Tests against Australia. The second Ashes Test takes place at Lord's on June 28. CricketEngland beat Ireland by