LONDON: Leicestershire leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been added to the England Men’s Test squad for the second Men’s Ashes Test against Australia starting at Lord’s on Wednesday.
According to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the young leg-spinner was added to England squad as a cover for veteran all-rounder Moeen Ali, who struggled with a finger injury on his return.
Following his inclusion, Rehan Ahmed will join the England contingent this weekend for the second Ashes Test, which is scheduled to commence on June 28.
His selection came amidst concerns about Moeen Ali’s fitness, who returned to Test cricket after Jack Leach was forced to withdraw due to a back ailment.
Notably, Moeen Ali sustained a blister on his finger in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston which forced him to bowl significantly less in the second innings.
Meanwhile, Rehan Ahmed got a nod in selection at the back of a remarkable debut in Karachi against Pakistan.
Ahmed was the youngest English male cricketer to make his Test debut and he made it memorable by picking up seven wickets and playing a pivotal role in England’s victory over Pakistan.
He took a five-wicket haul in Pakistan’s second innings and became the youngest debut to achieve this feat.
Additionally, the prospect of Rehan Ahmed playing the second Ashes Test would make him the second-youngest player from either side to play in a Test between the two great rivals and the youngest since 1877.
England’s Ashes squad for the second Test against Australia: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny 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.
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