Ashes 2023: ECB names cover for spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali ahead of Lord's Test

Why you're reading this: Ahead of the second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord's, England has introduced a fresh face to their squad. Leicestershire leg-spinner, Rehan Ahmed, has been included in the England Men's Test squad as a cover for spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali. The 18-year-old Ahmed, who previously made his Test debut in the final Test against Pakistan in Karachi last winter, will join the rest of the squad in London this weekend.

3 things you need to know

• Moeen Ali suffered a finger injury during the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston Stadium
• He picked up three wickets in the match despite battling with the injury
• Australia won the first Ashes Test by 2 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series

Also Read: Will Mitchell Starc Replace Scott Boland For 2nd Ashes Test? Former Skipper Gives His Take

Rehan Ahmed included in the Ashes squad

Rehan Ahmed has been named in the Ashes squad for the second match as a cover for Moeen Ali, who sustained an injury in the opening Test of the series. Rehan had a standout performance in his lone Test match against Pakistan in December, where his impressive second-innings figures of 5 for 48 played a crucial role in England's dominant 3-0 series win.

It will be interesting to see if Rehan gets a chance to play at the Lord's Test, which is slated to begin on June 28. England head coach Brendon McCullum said after the first Ashes Test that Moeen Ali will be selected for the second match if he is available. Meanwhile, if Moeen rules himself out, Rehan might get an opportunity to showcase his talent in the second Test. McCullum was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo,

"I'm pretty confident that we can get on top of Moeen's finger. That will give us an opportunity to select him in the next game and, if he's available, he will be selected. I thought Moeen did a great job."

Also Read: Joe Root's Big 'captaincy' Regret After Losing First Ashes Test; 'It's Far More Exciting'

Updated England squad for the 2nd Ashes Test

1. Ben Stokes (c)
2. Rehan Ahmed 
3. Moeen Ali 
4. James Anderson 
5. Jonathan Bairstow (wk)
6. Stuart Broad 
7. Harry Brook 
8. Zak Crawley
9. Ben Duckett
10. Dan Lawrence
11. Ollie Pope
12. Matthew Potts 
13. Ollie Robinson 
14. Joe Root 
15. Josh Tongue 
16. Chris Woakes 
17. Mark Wood

Image: AP