FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Fourth Test - England v India - The Oval, London, Britain - September 6, 2021 England's Moeen Ali looks dejected after losing his wicket Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo
(Reuters) - England all-rounder Moeen Ali, who retired from test cricket in September 2021, has been added to the Ashes squad for the first two tests, the country's cricket board (ECB) said on Wednesday, after spinner Jack Leach was ruled out of the series.
The 35-year-old stepped away from the game's longest format to focus on limited-overs cricket but reversed his decision following discussions with test captain Ben Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum and ECB men's managing director Rob Key.
Moeen made his test debut in 2014 and played his last test against India at the Oval in September 2021. He scored 2,914 runs in 64 tests at an average of 28.29, and picked up 195 wickets with his off-spin.
"We reached out to 'Mo' early this week about returning to test cricket. Having had a couple of days to reflect, Mo is excited to join the squad and play test cricket again," Key said.
"His vast experience, along with his all-round ability, will benefit our Ashes campaign."
Leach, who took four wickets in England's win over Ireland in their warm-up test, has been ruled out of the five-test series against Australia due to a stress fracture in his back.
His injury is the latest setback to England's bowling department in the build-up to the series, with fast bowler Jofra Archer also ruled out.
The Ashes gets under way at Edgbaston on June 16.
(Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
