FORMER Worcestershire star Moeen Ali has been added to the England test squad for the first two LV= Insurance Men’s Ashes Test matches against Australia.
He replaces Somerset’s Jack Leach, who was withdrawn from the original 16-player squad on Sunday after sustaining a low back stress fracture, which rules him out of the five-match Ashes Test series.
Ali, 35, who retired from test cricket at the end of the 2021 summer, has reversed his decision following discussions with test captain Ben Stokes, test head coach Brendon McCullum and Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket Rob Key.
The Birmingham-born off-spinner will be looking to add to his 64 Test caps for the first test which kicks off at Edgbaston next Friday (June 16). He has scored 2,914 Test runs and has 195 wickets at Test level. He will celebrate his 36th birthday during the first test on June 18.
Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, said: “We reached out to Mo (Moeen Ali) 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.”
The England party, including Worcestershire’s Josh Tongue, will report to Birmingham on Monday (June 12). They are due to practice at Edgbaston from Tuesday (June 13)