England find themselves without a first-choice spinner just days away from the start of the Ashes, after Jack Leach was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the lower back.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the runners and riders to step into the Somerset man’s shoes.
Rehan Ahmed
✨ A special moment before the start of play today…
You’ve done yourself and your family proud, @RehanAhmed__16 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ggRzlxGZhu
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 6, 2023
Became England’s youngest ever Test debutant when he was thrust into the spotlight against Pakistan in December. Aged just 18 and 126 days when he took the field in Karachi, he claimed five for 48 in the second innings and two more in the first. Has impressed more with the bat than the ball for Leicestershire in this season’s LV= Insurance County Championship, with only six wickets in as many games at an average of 54.16.
Moeen Ali
Will Jacks
? 23 Sep 2022 – IT20 ✅? 1 Dec 2022 – Test ✅? 1 March 2023 – ODI ✅@WJacks9 completes the set ?
Congrats, Jacksy! ? pic.twitter.com/j4vsn6V4be
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 2, 2023
Another debutant in Pakistan, the Surrey man is still known best for his aggressive batting and top-order exploits against the white ball. Yet, he will be an attractive option for McCullum and Ben Stokes given his attacking approach to the game. His off-breaks have impressed head coach Gareth Batty, himself a former England spinner, and he would be an explosive lower-order option with the bat.
Dom Bess
Liam Dawson
Jack Carson
Fifer for Jack Carson. ? pic.twitter.com/5j0LgxDe7e
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) April 22, 2023
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman is well thought of and on recent form must have inched ahead of fellow England Lions tourist Liam Patterson-White, who has struggled to make an impact for Nottinghamshire this summer. Dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara twice during a county select XI game against India in 2021 and later enjoyed a one-on-one session with the great Virat Kohli. Still raw.
