The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the 12-member squad for the upcoming second Test match of the Ashes 2019. Out of the previous Test squad, the selectors have dropped Moeen Ali and added Jack Leach.
After winning the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, many believed that the hosts England would make a positive start in the Ashes 2019. Though their bowlers mostly bowled well, Australian Steven Smith’s outstanding batting performances in both the innings destroyed their dream.
In that Edgbaston Test, England suffered a 251-run defeat while Smith won the Player of the Match award. Smith scored 144 and 142 runs in that match.
However, the ECB selectors have put the faith mostly on the same team for the second Test. Lord’s (London) will host the second Test of Ashes 2019 from 14th August.
Apart from Moeen Ali, the injured James Anderson and Olly Stone missed out the England squad
From the 14-member squad of the Edgbaston Test, English pacers James Anderson and Olly Stone have missed out the second Test squad due to their injuries. During the Edgbaston Test, James Anderson faced the calf injury. Though he batted (3 & 4*) in both the innings, bowled only four overs in the first innings (4-3-1-0).
Meanwhile, recently, Olly Stone has received an injury on his lower left-back during the training session. He has to take rest for at least two weeks.
In the meantime, the 28-year-old left-arm spinner Jack Leach has replaced the 32-year-old all-rounder Moeen Ali for the second Test. Ali has recently struggled both with the bat and ball.
On the Other hand, Leach has played five Tests after making his international debut in March 2018. The left-arm spinner has taken 20 wickets. In his last Test against Ireland at Lord’s in last month, the nightwatchman Leach scored an incredible game-changing 92-run.
The pacer Jofra Archer is likely to make his Test debut in the forthcoming Lord’s Test. He was the leading wicket-taker for England in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.
While Archer was recently battling with the side issue, he has just proved his fitness with some impressive performances in the domestic match. He took six wickets (6/27) in an innings and also scored a smashing century (108) in the recently concluded second XI game.