Ashes 2023: England add leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed for 2nd Test vs Australia as cover for Moeen Ali

England are set to play Australia in the second Test match of the Ashes series starting 28 June at the Lord's Stadium. The England and Wales Cricket Board on Friday, 23 June have announced that 18-year-old leg spinner Rehan Ahmed has been added to the squad as a cover for Moeen Ali, who was injured in his comeback Test match, the first one in the series.

"Leicestershire leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been added to the England Men’s Test squad for the second LV= Insurance Men’s Ashes Test against Australia starting at Lord’s on Wednesday 28 June 2023 as cover for spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali. Ahmed, 18, who made his Test debut in the final Test against Pakistan in Karachi last winter, will join the rest of the squad this weekend in London," ECB said in a statement.

Moeen Ali's return to Test cricket was hampered



due to an injury to his index finger. This injury was similar to the one he suffered during the 2017/18 Ashes series.

The all-rounder drew flak from social media after he applied unapproved ointment to numb his pain, for which he incurred a fine. The England coaching staff expressed their concern upon witnessing the wound.

Ahmed is the youngest leg spinner to play Test cricket for England at the age of 18 years and 126 days and debuted against Pakistan in Karachi. He picked 7 wickets in the only Test match he has played so far.

England Squad for 2nd Test

Ben Stokes (C), Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood